Rekha Gupta, a prominent leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has been appointed as the next Chief Minister of Delhi. The announcement followed a BJP legislature party meeting held at the party’s Delhi office on Wednesday evening. Gupta, 50, who represents the Shalimar Bagh constituency, secured a victory over Aam Aadmi Party’s Bandana Kumari in the recently concluded Assembly elections.
Meanwhile, preparations are in full swing for the grand swearing-in ceremony on February 20 at the historic Ramlila Ground. Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Union ministers and top key BJP leaders will be attending the event. As per PTI sources, around 40 celebrities have been invited to the grand event which is expected to draw about one lakh people, including party workers, religious leaders, and residents.
BJP MLAs reach party office for key meet
Over 15 MLAs including Vijender Gupta, Ashish Sood, Kapil Mishra, Tarvinder Marwah, Harish Khurana Mohan Singh Bist arrive at BJP office for legislature party meeting.
BJP declares names for central observers
The BJP on Wednesday has announced that former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and party national secretary Om Prakash Dhankar names as central observers, as reported by PTI. Both of them will be responsible for overseeing the Delhi legislature party meeting. This meeting is been considered as crucial because Leader of the house will be chosen and it will ultimately determine who will be the next head of the state government.
Speculation is at its peak on who will be chosen for the post of new chief minister, with several names in the pipeline.
Forerunner for Delhi CM post
Parvesh Verma, Vijendra Gupta, Pawan Sharma, Shikha Rai, Ashish Sood, and Rekha Gupta are among the list of top contenders. Moreover, the names of Kailash Gangwal from Madipur and Ravinder Indraj Singh of Bawana have also been discussed as potential chances.
Many inside the BJP think that the leadership may choose a ‘’dark horse’’ candidate, similar to its earlier approach in Odisha, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Haryana. However, a final decision on the same will be made at the Delhi BJP headquarters this evening.
Details on the oath ceremony
The oath-taking ceremony will take place in the afternoon on February 20, changing from the earlier planned 4:30 PM slot. BJP MP Yogender Chandolia mentioned to PTI, ‘’Around 50,000 people, including0 party workers, RWA’s and saints have been invited. It will be a grand event with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his cabinet ministers to mark their presence. The ceremony will take place for 25-30 minutes.’’
The reason behind picking Ramlila Ground as the venue is because of public enthusiasm for the BJP’s return to power in Delhi after 26 years.
Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva along with Vinod Tavde and Tarun Chugh are in charge of the swearing-in function and have reviewed the situation. Chugh stated to PTI, ‘’Preparations are going on at a war footing for the historic event on February 20. Every section of the society in Delhi wants to join this moment, and we are working to make it happen.’’
Process of selecting Delhi CM
The New Delhi chief Minister and the leader of the house will be chosen by the 48 newly elected BJP MLA’s in Delhi. The crucial meeting will take place at the party’s Delhi headquarters where the MLA’s will decide their final choice in the presence of BJP’s central observers. Once the name of the Leader of the House is picked, the newly elected CM will head to Raj Niwas, will then meet Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena and will formally make claim to form the government.
Theme of the swearing-in ceremony
According to The Indian Express sources, the swearing -in ceremony likely to be based on the lines of Ram Mandir consecration in Ayodhya last year. Eminent members of the Hindu seer community is anticipated to attend the event.
Security strengthened across New Delhi
As the preparations is in full swing for the swearing-in ceremony, authorities are strengthening security measures to handle the expected large crowds and ensuring the safety of public and the VIP attendees.
Sharing an update on the security arrangements, Special CP (Law & order) Ravindra Singh Yadav has mentioned to ANI, ‘’all arrangements are being made, ‘’All arrangements have been made, and everything will in place tomorrow. The oath-taking event is likely to draw huge crowds, so we are setting up foolproof arrangements for security, not only for common public but also for the VIPs who will be attending the ceremony.’’
Delhi Police issues traffic advisory
Delhi Police has issued a traffic advisory ahead of the oath ceremony for the new Chief Minister of Delhi, which will take place on Thursday at Ramleela Ground. The event is expected to see attendance from several VVIPs and VIPs, as well as a large crowd. To manage traffic, diversions and restrictions will be imposed in various areas, including Subhash Park T-Point, Raj Ghat, ITO, Ajmeri Gate, and surrounding roads from 7 am to 4 pm.
Commuters are advised to use public transport, avoid roadside parking, and park only in designated areas to ensure smooth traffic flow. The advisory also suggests using the Paharganj side road for New Delhi Railway Station. The BJP has come to power after defeating the AAP in the February 5 Delhi Assembly elections.
Delhi Election Results 2025
In the Delhi Assembly elections held on February 5, the BJP secured 48 out of 70 seats. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which had been in power for two consecutive terms, won only 22 seats. Congress, for the third consecutive time, failed to win any seats. The results were officially announced on February 8.
(With inputs from PTI and ANI)