Rekha Gupta, a member of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Delhi on Thursday, following a decisive electoral victory that handed the BJP control of the capital for the first time in over two decades.
At 50 years old, Gupta is the fourth woman to hold the position in Delhi, a city of more than 30 million people. Her appointment marks a historic moment for the BJP, which had not controlled Delhi’s local legislature since 1998. The party’s sweeping win on February 5, securing over two-thirds of the seats, was both a symbolic triumph and a strategically significant development for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu-nationalist government.
Gupta, who holds a law degree and began her political career in student activism in Delhi, was chosen for the role by BJP members on Wednesday night.
“I will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of the office,” Gupta declared during her oath-taking ceremony, where a crowd of enthusiastic supporters cheered her on.
Prime Minister Modi, who attended the ceremony, praised Gupta’s grassroots political journey in a post on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “I am confident she will work for Delhi’s development with full vigour.”
Gupta’s appointment follows the ousting of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by Arvind Kejriwal, who governed Delhi for much of the past decade. Kejriwal, known for his vocal criticism of Modi, rose to prominence as an anti-corruption activist but faced legal troubles last year, including accusations of accepting kickbacks for liquor licenses. He has denied the allegations, calling them politically motivated.
The BJP’s victory in Delhi bolsters Modi, who secured a third term as Prime Minister in national elections last year but with a reduced majority, requiring coalition support to govern. Gupta’s leadership offers the party an opportunity to consolidate its position in the capital.
However, Gupta faces daunting challenges ahead, including tackling Delhi’s severe air pollution crisis. The city is consistently ranked among the world’s most polluted capitals, with winter smog levels often exceeding 60 times the World Health Organization’s recommended daily limits.
Decades of fragmented initiatives have failed to curb the hazardous air quality, which is responsible for thousands of premature deaths annually, disproportionately affecting children and the elderly. Gupta’s ability to address this pressing issue will be a critical test of her leadership.
The BJP hopes that Gupta’s tenure will solidify its foothold in Delhi while addressing the city’s long-standing governance issues and development challenges.
