Thu Feb 20 13:28:30 UTC 2025: **Delhi Gets First Woman Chief Minister in Surprise BJP Appointment**
NEW DELHI – Rekha Gupta, a first-time MLA from Shalimar Bagh, has been sworn in as Delhi’s new Chief Minister, marking a surprise choice by the BJP. The appointment, announced after nearly two weeks of deliberations delayed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s overseas trip, prioritizes two key factors: gender and caste representation.
The BJP selected Ms. Gupta, a Vaishya, to fulfill its campaign promise of women’s empowerment, a demographic previously unrepresented in the top leadership position. This selection follows the party’s previous Chief Ministers hailing from Punjabi, Jat, and Brahmin communities. A more high-profile candidate, Parvesh Verma, son of former Chief Minister Saheb Singh Verma, was also considered. Another contender, Vijender Gupta, a veteran politician and former Leader of the Opposition, was passed over despite being from the Vaishya community due to the party’s focus on appointing a woman. He has instead been appointed Speaker of the Delhi Assembly.
Ms. Gupta’s background includes leadership roles in the BJP’s youth wing and presidency of the Delhi University Students’ Union. Prime Minister Modi lauded her grassroots experience and expressed confidence in her ability to drive Delhi’s development. Sources within the BJP emphasized Ms. Gupta’s strong organizational and leadership skills, highlighting the party’s commitment to rewarding dedicated grassroots workers.
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