Rekha Gupta has been named the next Chief Minister of Delhi, with Parvesh Verma set to serve as her Deputy. Gupta will succeed Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Atishi as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) returns to power in the national capital after 26 years, following a sweeping victory in the February 5 Assembly elections.
Gupta, the lone woman Chief Minister among BJP-ruled states, won the Delhi Assembly election from the Shalimar Bagh constituency. Verma, who emerged as the ‘giant killer’ of the polls, defeated Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the New Delhi Assembly seat. The announcement of their leadership was made during the BJP legislature party meeting in Delhi on Wednesday.
The BJP secured a decisive victory, winning 48 out of 70 seats, ending AAP’s decade-long rule. AAP managed to secure only 22 seats, losing key constituencies, including those of Arvind Kejriwal (New Delhi) and former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia (Jangpura).
With Gupta’s appointment finalized, a grand swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for Thursday at noon at Ramlila Maidan. The event is expected to be attended by top BJP leaders, chief ministers from party-ruled states, and prominent celebrities.
Visuals shared on social media showed preparations underway at Ramlila Maidan, with the venue being spruced up and boundary walls receiving a fresh coat of paint.