New Delhi: In a historic ceremony held at the iconic Ramlila Ground, Rekha Gupta was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Delhi, marking the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) return to power in the national capital after 27 years. The grand event was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, top BJP leaders, and chief ministers of BJP-ruled states, showcasing the party’s strength and unity.
Rekha Gupta, a first-time legislator
and BJP’s MLA from Shalimar Bagh, took the oath of office alongside her cabinet
members, including Parvesh Verma, Ashish Sood, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Kapil
Mishra, Ravinder Indraj Singh, and Pankaj Singh. The ceremony was presided over
by Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena.
A New Era for Delhi
At 50, Rekha Gupta becomes Delhi’s fourth woman chief minister and the only
woman currently leading a state in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Her
appointment is seen as a significant milestone, bringing fresh energy and
optimism to Delhi’s governance.
Early Life and
Education
Born on July 19, 1974, in Julana, Haryana, Rekha Gupta moved to Delhi at the
age of two when her father, Jai Bhagwan Jindal, joined the State Bank of India
as a branch manager in Pitampura. Her mother, Urmila Jindal, was a homemaker.
Rekha Gupta completed her Bachelor of
Commerce (BCom) from Daulat Ram College, Delhi University, where she actively
participated in student politics. She joined the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi
Parishad (ABVP) in 1992 and later served as the General Secretary and President
of the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) in 1995 and 1996-97,
respectively.
Political Journey
Rekha Gupta’s political career began with her election as a councillor from
North Pitampura in 2007, where she focused on improving local amenities such as
libraries, parks, and swimming pools. She also launched the “Sumedha Yojana,”
an initiative to support economically disadvantaged female students in pursuing
higher education.
As the chair of the Women Welfare and
Child Development Committee, she spearheaded numerous initiatives aimed at
women’s empowerment. Within the BJP, she has held key positions, including
General Secretary of the party’s Mahila Morcha in Delhi and member of its
national executive committee.
In the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections,
Rekha Gupta won the Shalimar Bagh constituency as a first-time MLA, defeating
AAP’s Bandana Kumari by a margin of 29,595 votes.
Personal Life
Rekha Gupta is married to Manish Gupta, an industrialist specializing in brass
parts. The couple has two children: a son currently attending college and a
daughter involved in the family business.
A Vision for Delhi
In her inaugural address, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta emphasized her commitment
to inclusive development, women’s empowerment, and improving the quality of
life for all Delhi residents. She pledged to work tirelessly to address key
issues such as infrastructure, education, healthcare, and environmental
sustainability.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his
address, lauded Rekha Gupta’s leadership and expressed confidence in her
ability to steer Delhi toward a brighter future. He highlighted her grassroots
experience and dedication to public service as key strengths that will benefit
the people of Delhi.
The swearing-in ceremony was attended
by prominent leaders, including Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis,
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, Goa Chief Minister Pramod
Sawant, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, and Meghalaya Chief Minister
Conrad Sangma.
About Rekha Gupta:
Rekha Gupta is the newly appointed Chief Minister of Delhi and a first-time MLA
from the Shalimar Bagh constituency. With a strong background in student
politics, grassroots governance, and women’s empowerment, she brings a wealth
of experience and a fresh perspective to Delhi’s leadership.