Rekha Gupta set to lead Delhi as fourth woman chief minister: Full ceremony details

Delhi: On February 20, 2025, Rekha Gupta will take her oath as the new Chief Minister of Delhi at a grand swearing-in ceremony at Ramlila Ground. This significant event comes after an 11-day suspense following the Bharatiya Janata Party's return to power in the capital after 27 years. Gupta’s selection as the Leader of the House was confirmed during a meeting of the BJP legislature party, chaired by senior leader Ravi Shankar Prasad and accompanied by central observers OP Dhankar and Virendra Sachdeva.

Rekha Gupta takes charge as Delhi CM

Gupta, 50, who hails from Haryana, has entered politics through the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in 1992 and has strong RSS ties. Despite being a first-time MLA, Gupta emerged as a frontrunner for the Chief Minister's position after securing a massive win from Shalimar Bagh, defeating AAP’s Bandana Kumari by over 29,000 votes. The newly appointed Delhi CM and her team met Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena late on Wednesday to stake their claim to form the government. The L-G’s office confirmed the appointment via a post on X, inviting Gupta to take charge.

Ceremony details and security arrangements

Rekha Gupta's swearing-in ceremony is expected to draw a massive crowd, with over 50,000 people, including political dignitaries such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union ministers, and NDA-affiliated chief ministers. The event will take place at 12:15 PM at Ramlila Maidan, where security will be extremely tight with over 25,000 security personnel deployed across key areas in New Delhi. National Security Guard (NSG) commandos, Delhi Police personnel, and Rapid Action Force units will ensure safety and security for the ceremony. In addition, over 30,000 special invitees, including RSS leaders, spiritual gurus, celebrities, and citizens from various walks of life, are expected to attend.

Delhi’s new cabinet

The newly appointed Delhi government will comprise six cabinet ministers, including Parvesh Verma, who defeated Arvind Kejriwal in a high-profile contest. The Union Ministry confirmed the appointment of Parvesh Verma, Ashish Sood, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Ravinder Indraj, Kapil Mishra, and Pankaj Kumar Singh as ministers under Gupta’s leadership.

Rekha Gupta: A profile of resilience

Rekha Gupta, a law graduate from Delhi University, has built a career through decades of service in the RSS and local politics. With over three decades of political experience, Gupta has deep roots in Delhi’s political landscape. Her family—husband Manish Gupta, a businessman, and two children—adds a personal touch to her journey. As Delhi’s fourth woman Chief Minister, following leaders such as Sushma Swaraj, Sheila Dikshit, and Atishi, Gupta’s ascent represents a turning point in Delhi’s political scene. Rekha Gupta’s swearing-in marks the beginning of a new era for Delhi. With a powerful and diverse cabinet by her side, Gupta's leadership will be watched closely by both supporters and critics alike.