Delhi CM Announcement Highlights: Rekha Gupta becomes CM-designate, thanks PM Modi

BJP MLA-elect Rekha Gupta is set to be the next Chief Minister of Delhi, ANI reported citing sources. The official announcement is set to come in soon. Rekha Gupta is set to be the first woman BJP CM since Vasundhara Raje stepped down.

#WATCH | Delhi: Visuals from the residence of BJP MLA elect Rekha Gupta; her supporters gather outside. pic.twitter.com/VdtCs0g3qO

— ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2025

#WATCH | Delhi BJP MLAs meet to elect Chief Minister pic.twitter.com/uBkM2o0moq

— ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2025

“BJP is a party with difference, and it has a very big team for decision-making. There is a process of brainstorming, and after this process, the final decision is announced… This decision (Delhi CM) will be made with the same approach in mind.

A few MLAs– Vijender Gupta, Parvesh Verma, and Satish Upadhyay– have already been taken aside into a separate meeting by the two central observers, according to India Today.

Ramvir Singh Bidhuri on his arrival for legislative party meeting at the BJP’s Delhi office, told reporters, “You will get all the information in the next one hour.” He said the party spokesperson will announce the decision after the meeting.

Watch:

#WATCH Delhi | "You will get all the information in the next one hour," says BJP leader Ramvir Singh Bidhuri on his arrival for legislative party meeting at the party office in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/YrdLXKodfH

— ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2025

Around 7 pm, the BJP leader who defeated Arvind Kejriwal, Parvesh Verma, arrived at the party’s Delhi office for the legislative party meeting.

#WATCH | Delhi BJP MLA Parvesh Verma at the party office to attend legislative party meeting pic.twitter.com/M4EvlXEnVl

— ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2025

Parvesh Verma: AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal has been contesting from the New Delhi constituency since his party entered politics. A three-time MLA, he was up against BJP’s Parvesh Verma and Congress’s Sandeep Dikshit.

As expected, it was a close contest but a two-pronged one between Verma and Kejriwal. As votes were counted, Kejriwal first trailed, then had a lead and then trailed again, first with a margin of 200-odd votes. The gap became wider – to 1000 and more. In the end, Verma emerged victorious, defeating Kejriwal by 4089 votes.

The stunning win immediately made Verma a contender for the post of CM in Delhi in the public eye.

Rekha Gupta: With expectations of a woman CM high, Rekha Gupta, who won from Shalimar Bagh is also being viewed as one of the top contenders. She is a lawyer by profession and was a member of BJP’s student wing, ABVP, since 1992.

BJP MLA elect Raj Kumar Bhatia said, “For us, the most important thing is that our govt is forming after 27 years…48 candidates are there for CM post…”

His comments came ahead of the Delhi BJP legislative party meeting.

#WATCH | Ahead of the Delhi BJP legislative party meeting, BJP MLA elect Raj Kumar Bhatia says, "For us, the most important thing is that our govt is forming after 27 years...48 candidates are there for CM post..." pic.twitter.com/ikjymSG2rj

— ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2025

According to PTI, top BJP leaders Amit Shah and JP Nadda are attending a meeting at the new RSS office in Delhi ahead of announcing the Chief Minister for the state at 7pm.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh national general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale was also present at the ‘karyakarta sammelan’ at the office in Jhandewalan along with other senior functionaries of the organisation as well as office-bearers and volunteers, including those representing RSS affiliates.

BJP is set to announce the Delhi CM who is set to take oath on February 20 soon.

#WATCH | BJP leaders and party's central observers for electing Leader of Delhi Legislature Party, Ravi Shankar Prasad and Om Prakash Dhankar, depart for Delhi BJP office pic.twitter.com/mOiJhfRkTI

— ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2025

Rekha Gupta defeated the AAP’s Bandana Kumari in Shalimar Bagh.

Gupta, who received 68,200 votes, won by a margin of 29,595 votes

According to her Facebook profile, Gupta is the national vice president of the BJP Mahila Morcha.

She is also an ex-councillor of Ward-56, Shalimar Bagh, of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.

As per her website, Gupta began her political career with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in 1992.

By 1996-97, she was president of the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU).

In 2007, Gupta was elected as a councillor from North Pitampura.

She has served as general secretary of BJP Mahila Morcha in Delhi and as a member of the party’s national executive committee.

As per My Neta, Gupta is an advocate.

She did her LLB From Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, in 2022.

She has assets worth Rs 5 crore and there are no criminal cases against her.

Party workers began gathering in large numbers outside of BJP office in Delhi ahead of the legislative party meeting.

VIDEO | Delhi: Visuals from outside BJP office, where party workers have gathered in large numbers ahead of the legislative party meeting, where the name of Delhi CM will be finalised later today.

(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/Lvr4XvaRpL

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 19, 2025

BJP National General Secretary Dushyant Gautam, talking about the selection of Delhi’s chief minister, said that there is no formula that the party is using to decide the face.

“This is a suspense. The legislative party will take the decision, which will be approved by the party’s parliamentary board….There is no formula,” he said.

“The ‘Ram Rajya’ that was envisioned will take oath after 27 years. Everyone in Delhi will witness it with great joy,” Rekha Gupta said.

#WATCH | Delhi: BJP MLA-elect Rekha Gupta says, "Today's meeting (BJP legislature party meeting) will be held this evening. Tomorrow, Delhi will see the grand oath ceremony...The 'Ram Rajya' that was envisioned will take oath after 27 years. Everyone in Delhi will witness it with… pic.twitter.com/oXifh64Ac5

— ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2025

Shah and Nadda arrived at the “Keshav Kunj” office of the RSS just minutes ago.

VIDEO | Union Ministers Amit Shah and JP Nadda arrive to attend the inauguration of 'Keshav Kunj', the new office of RSS in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/S7AGVjGyqJ

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 19, 2025

BJP’s Delhi unit chief Virendra Sachdeva said that the “invitation (for legislative party meet) is of 7 pm. They will come and discuss and then tell you the name of the CM… The oath will be taken tomorrow morning, PM and CMs of some states will attend the event.”

VIDEO | Ahead of BJP's legislative party meeting today, party's Delhi unit chief Virendra Sachdeva (@Virend_Sachdeva) says: "Announcement of both the observers has been made, the invitation (for legislative party meet) is of 7 pm. They will come and discuss and then tell you the… pic.twitter.com/b8MLWK0CX5

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 19, 2025

The Bharatiya Janata Party has invited gig workers, cab and auto-rickshaw drivers, farmers, and slum leaders to the oath-taking ceremony of Delhi’s new Chief Minister on Thursday, sources told NDTV.

The oath-taking ceremony is set to take place on 20th February at 12 PM, 11 days after BJP’s win in the Delhi polls. Women beneficiaries of the party’s welfare schemes are also on the guest list.

When asked if she is a contender for Delhi CM, BJP MLA Rekha Gupta said, “No one is a contender; the party will decide. Whoever is given the responsibility will serve with full commitment. I am confident that with a BJP CM, a new chapter will begin in Delhi. There will be significant development, people will get their rights, and all pending work will be completed.

Gupta said that there is great enthusiasm for tomorrow’s swearing-in ceremony, and people are eager to attend.

VIDEO | When asked about whether she is a contender for Delhi CM, BJP MLA Rekha Gupta (@gupta_rekha) says, "Nobody is contender, party decides, whoever will be given responsibility, will be doing the job with commitment. I have full confidence that with a BJP CM, a new chapter… pic.twitter.com/ioUJ3Rqm61

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 19, 2025

As the new Delhi Chief Minister is all set to take the oath, here are the key details of the ceremony:

The swearing-in ceremony of the Chief Minister and the new cabinet of Delhi will be held at Ramlila Maidan tomorrow, 20th February. The ceremony will begin at 11 AM. Lt Governor VK Saxena will administer the oath of office to the CM-designate and the cabinet at 12:35 PM.

PM Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Ministers, and NDA Chief Ministers and Deputy CMs will witness the ceremony.

A traffic advisory has been shared on Twitter and other social media in the wake of the oath-taking ceremony of the Delhi Chief Minister.

DCP Traffic Saurabh Chandra informed the public about the details of the advisory and road diversions, stating that the Delhi Traffic Police have made detailed arrangements for the new CM’s oath-taking ceremony.

#WATCH | Delhi | On traffic arrangements ahead of the oath-taking ceremony of new Delhi CM, DCP Traffic, Saurabh Chandra says, "The Delhi Traffic Police have made elaborate arrangements for the oath-taking ceremony to be held tomorrow. We have issued a traffic advisory on our… pic.twitter.com/AMyjzNR7i8

— ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2025

BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh reviewed the final preparations for Delhi’s new Chief Minister’s oath ceremony at Ramlila Maidan. The ceremony is set for tomorrow, February 20, at 12 PM.

#WATCH | Delhi: BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh reviews the ongoing final preparations for the oath ceremony of the new Chief Minister of Delhi, scheduled to take place at Ramlila Maidan tomorrow, 20th February. pic.twitter.com/xVRKdjX6PS

— ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2025

After the party failed to win a single seat in the Delhi election, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge declared that party office-bearers will be held accountable for future poll failures.

He went on to say that Congress fought hard in Delhi despite a lack of resources, and challenged party leaders to aspire to become the dominant opposition party.

The BJP Parliamentary Board is meeting in Delhi to designate observers for government formation.

Among those in attendance are Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP President JP Nadda, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Sarbananda Sonowal, and BL Santhosh, national general secretary of the party.

The results of the Delhi assembly elections were announced on February 8, sending shockwaves through the incumbent Aam Aadmi Party. PM Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party dethroned the party that has ruled India’s national capital for more than a decade.

In the 70-seat legislature, the AAP managed to secure just 22, leaving the remainder to the saffron party.

Despite its catastrophic defeat, former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s party received an astounding 44% of the vote, indicating that it retained power in certain parts of Delhi.

Nearly 27 years later, the BJP is poised to take control in the national capital after winning 48 of 70 seats in the assembly elections. The last time a BJP politician served as chief minister of Delhi was in 1998, when the late Sushma Swaraj was in office.

Parvesh Verma, a party MLA, defeated AAP national convenor and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the New Delhi constituency. Verma, a former Lok Sabha MP, won, sending shockwaves through the AAP’s support base, as Kejriwal was the party’s leading figure.

Verma defeated the AAP leader by more than 3,000 votes in a closely contested race.

According to sources acquainted with the oath-taking arrangements, PM Modi would arrive at Ramlila Maidan around 12.30 p.m.

Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena will give the oath to the incoming Delhi chief minister and cabinet ministers soon after PM Modi arrives. The event is slated to end about 1pm.

Will Delhi’s next chief minister be a woman?

That is the rumble that is heard in political circles.

According to reports, one of the BJP’s freshly elected women MLAs might become Delhi’s next Chief Minister.

Rekha Gupta, the BJP MLA-elect from Shalimar Bagh, is seen as a strong candidate for the position of Delhi Chief Minister.

Rekha Gupta defeated AAP’s Bandana Kumari by 29,595 votes in the recently concluded assembly election. She has previously served as general secretary and president of the Delhi University Students Union, as well as a member of the party’s national leadership and the Delhi state unit’s general secretary.

The stage is set for a grand oath-taking ceremony of the new Delhi Chief Minister, marking the beginning of the BJP’s governance in the national capital after a 27-year hiatus.

BJP MP Yogender Chandolia on Tuesday revealed that preparations are in full swing at Ram Maidan, with continuous meetings being held to finalise the arrangements Chandolia told ANI, “Preparations are in full swing at Ram Maidan. Continued meetings are being held. A meeting regarding preparations is also being held. A large number of people will be participating (in the ceremony).”

Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal on Wednesday wrote a letter to Aam Aadmi Party Chief Arvind Kejriwal urging him to announce a Dalit leader as the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Delhi Legislative Assembly.

Swati Maliwal said that Kejriwal had promised to make a Dalit Deputy CM in Punjab during the 2022 assembly elections but later ‘backtracked’ on his promise.

Maliwal urged him to make a Dalit LoP and pay “true tribute to Babasaheb Ambedkar. AAP suffered a major setback in the Delhi Assembly election, in which the people’s mandate went against the ruling party, throwing them out of power.

AAP secured only 22 seats — a fall of 40 seats — while BJP secured a majority by winning 48 in the 70-member legislative assembly, marking its return in the national capital after 27 years.

Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje highlighted comparisons between Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Arvind Kejriwal, claiming that both politicians blamed the Centre for their failings.

#WATCH | Delhi | On Delhi CM face, Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje says, "... Arvind Kejriwal used to blame the central government, just like Siddaramaiah. The people taught him a lesson. The double-engine government will improve Delhi's condition since not just the country but… pic.twitter.com/fn6SZ51II4

— ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2025

Preparations are underway at Ramlila Maidan for the swearing ceremony of Delhi’s next chief minister.

An official informed PTI that around 5,000 security personnel will be stationed in and around Ramlila Maidan on the day of the oath-taking event.

In addition, nearly ten paramilitary units will be deployed to ensure law and order and control traffic during the day.

A meeting of the BJP Legislature Party will be conducted today. The swearing-in event will take conducted tomorrow, February 20th.

With the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Delhi legislators meet to happen on Wednesday, party leaders expressed their confidence in the leadership to choose a suitable candidate.

The BJP legislators meet is set to happen today to finalise the Delhi CM and other cabinet ministers, with the oath taking to happen tomorrow (February 20) on 4:30 PM at Ramlila Maidan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Ministers from BJP-ruled states, NDA leaders, Union Ministers, and other prominent figures will attend the ceremony, a Party top source told ANI.

The much awaited decision about the new chief minister of Delhi will be made in the BJP legislature party meeting to be held at the party’s Delhi unit office on Wednesday evening.

The BJP has come to power after 26 years, defeating the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the February 5 Delhi Assembly polls.

Preparations were complete for the legislature party meeting that is expected to begin around 7 pm at Delhi BJP office, the party leaders said.