Tue Feb 18 23:32:45 UTC 2025: ## Delhi BJP Delays CM Announcement, Speculation Mounts
**NEW DELHI** – Eleven days after a historic victory in the Delhi Assembly elections, the BJP continues to keep the public guessing about its choice for Chief Minister. While the swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for February 20th at the Ramlila Maidan, the party has yet to officially announce the name of its leader. This delay has fueled speculation and criticism from opposition parties like the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), who accuse the BJP of dragging its feet.
The BJP’s win on February 8th ended 27 years of non-BJP rule in Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised various development projects, including cleaning the Yamuna river, creating a riverfront, and developing a green corridor. The suspense now centers on which BJP MLA will be tasked with fulfilling these promises.
Five names are circulating as potential candidates: Prevesh Verma, who defeated Arvind Kejriwal in New Delhi; Rekha Gupta, a Delhi BJP general secretary; Vijender Gupta, a three-time MLA with experience as Leader of the Opposition; Ashish Sood, close to BJP president JP Nadda; and Satish Upadhyay, a former Delhi BJP president. While sources suggest the BJP’s central leadership has already made a decision, the party maintains its silence, leaving the public in anticipation.
Social media is abuzz with speculation, with Google Trends showing high search volumes for Prevesh Verma and Rekha Gupta. The BJP’s choice of Ramlila Maidan for the swearing-in ceremony—a venue previously associated with AAP chief ministers—is seen as a significant political move.
The BJP’s tradition of delaying CM announcements after election wins has been noted in other states, leading to speculation that the party is employing a calculated strategy to maximize political impact. The delay, however, has provided the AAP with an opening to criticize the BJP’s internal processes and leadership. The announcement is expected after a BJP legislative party meeting on Wednesday, February 19th.
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