In a historic political turnaround, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP has ended its 27-year wait to reclaim New Delhi’s governance by appointing Rekha Gupta as the state’s first woman Chief Minister. The party secured 48 of 70 assembly seats earlier this month, displacing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) that dominated since 2013.
Gupta, a former student leader and BJP General Secretary, inherits pressing challenges: tackling Delhi’s notorious air pollution, upgrading crumbling infrastructure, and fulfilling pre-election pledges. ‘We’ll work tirelessly to deliver justice, dignity, and development,’ she stated after her appointment. Critics await action on promises including:
- Comprehensive revamp of public schools
- 24/7 free healthcare services
- 2,500-rupee monthly stipend for low-income women
The BJP’s Delhi resurgence follows strategic moves like middle-class tax cuts in February’s federal budget. Analyst Prakash Mehta observes:
This isn’t just about New Delhi – it’s Modi silencing post-2023 election doubts through state-level dominance.
Meanwhile, the AAP grapples with fallout from leader Arvind Kejriwal’s 2023 arrest amid bribery charges. While he denies wrongdoing, the scandal eroded public trust – a factor analysts cite in BJP’s sweeping 52% vote share.
Gupta’s appointment also signals BJP’s bid to strengthen female voter support nationally. With a career rooted in women’s welfare campaigns – from sponsoring impoverished students to advocating workplace safety laws – her leadership could reshape Delhi’s policy landscape ahead of 2029 general elections.