Thu Feb 20 16:47:58 UTC 2025: **BJP Takes Delhi in Landslide Victory, Gupta Sworn in as Chief Minister**
NEW DELHI – Rekha Gupta, a member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was sworn in as Delhi’s chief minister on Thursday, marking the party’s first control of the Indian capital in 27 years. Gupta’s ascension follows a landslide victory in this month’s elections, where the BJP secured 48 out of 70 seats, ousting Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
The BJP’s win is a significant boost for Modi, who secured a third term last year but lost his parliamentary majority. Kejriwal, a prominent Modi critic, had governed Delhi for much of the past decade. His AAP’s recent struggles, including Kejriwal’s time in jail on alleged corruption charges (which he denies), contributed to the BJP’s sweeping success.
Gupta, a 50-year-old lawyer and former student leader, pledged to work for the welfare and development of all Delhi residents. Her party’s election promises included improvements to government schools, free health services, free electricity, and financial assistance for poor women.
However, Gupta faces substantial challenges. Delhi’s chronic air pollution, often ranked among the world’s worst, remains a major concern, despite not being a central campaign issue for any major party. Poverty is another significant hurdle for the new chief minister. Despite the BJP’s promises, addressing these issues will be a critical test of her leadership.
First Piper 