New Delhi, February 20, 2025: India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has taken control of New Delhi’s government for the first time in 27 years, as Rekha Gupta was sworn in as chief minister following a landslide victory in the February 5 elections.
Gupta, 50, is the fourth woman to hold the post in the city of over 30 million people. A law graduate who began her career in student politics, she was chosen for the role by party members on Wednesday. Taking the oath of office before cheering supporters, she pledged to serve “faithfully and impartially.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who attended the ceremony, praised Gupta’s rise from grassroots politics, expressing confidence in her leadership for Delhi’s development.
The BJP’s victory marks the end of a decade-long rule by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and its leader Arvind Kejriwal, a vocal critic of Modi. Kejriwal, who gained prominence as an anti-corruption activist, faced legal troubles last year after being jailed over allegations of financial misconduct in a liquor licensing case—charges he denies as politically motivated.
The win strengthens the BJP’s position ahead of Modi’s third term as prime minister, particularly after his reduced majority in last year’s national elections forced him to rely on coalition partners.
As chief minister, Gupta faces the urgent challenge of tackling Delhi’s severe air pollution, which reaches hazardous levels every winter. Despite years of government measures, the city remains the world’s most polluted capital, contributing to thousands of premature deaths annually. Notably, none of the major parties made air quality a central issue in their election campaigns.
