Thu Feb 20 09:42:29 UTC 2025: **BJP Forms New Delhi Government After Landslide Victory**
NEW DELHI – Rekha Gupta has been sworn in as Delhi’s new Chief Minister, leading a seven-member Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government. The swearing-in ceremony, a lavish affair attended by Bollywood stars, industrialists, and ordinary citizens, followed a BJP landslide victory in the recent assembly elections. The BJP won 48 of 70 seats, decisively defeating the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) which had governed Delhi since 2013.
Gupta, a first-time MLA, is only the second woman to hold the Chief Minister’s post in Delhi. Her appointment, sources say, highlights the BJP’s focus on women voters. The new cabinet also includes Parvesh Singh Verma, Kapil Mishra, and Manjinder Singh Sirsa, among others. Portfolio assignments are yet to be announced.
Mishra, who faces accusations related to hate speeches during the 2020 Delhi riots, pledged to investigate alleged corruption within the AAP government led by Arvind Kejriwal. Sirsa expressed gratitude to the BJP leadership for the opportunity to serve.
The formation of the new government followed a period of uncertainty after the election results on February 8th. The delay was partly attributed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s overseas engagements. Gupta herself admitted to being surprised by her appointment. Verma, initially considered a frontrunner for the Chief Minister’s position, is now part of the cabinet. The BJP’s win marks its return to power in Delhi after nearly three decades.