Rekha Gupta sworn in as Delhi CM, 6 cabinet ministers also take oath

Tribune News Service

Updated At : 05:00 PM Feb 20, 2025 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Delhi Lt Governor V K Saxena with newly sworn-in Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and other ministers during the oath ceremony at Ramlila Maidan, in New Delhi, Thursday, February 20, 2025. Tribune photo: Manas Ranjan

BJP's debutant legislator Rekha Gupta was sworn in as Delhi Chief Minister on Thursday in a grand show of strength that marks the party's return to power in the city after more than 26 years.

The ceremony at the historic Ramlila Ground was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the top BJP brass and NDA chief ministers. Gupta is Delhi's fourth woman chief minister.

After the administration of oath by Lt Governor V K Saxena, Gupta became the 9th Chief Minister of Delhi.

The 50-year-old MLA from Shalimar Bagh is also the only woman in the NDA team of chief ministers.

Besides Gupta, six newly elected MLAs -- Parvesh Verma who defeated AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal from the New Delhi seat, Ashish Sood, Pankaj Singh, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Kapil Mishra and Ravinder Indraj -- were sworn-in as cabinet ministers.

The new Council of Ministers headed by Gupta is likely to hold its first meeting at the Delhi Secretariat on Thursday evening and could implement the Mahila Samriddhi Yojna, under which eligible women will get a monthly payment of Rs 2,500, and Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme, party sources claimed.

Among those who attended the event were chief ministers of states ruled by the BJP and its NDA allies -- Maharashtra's Devendra Fadnavis, Andhra Pradesh's Chandrababu Naidu, Goa's Pramod Sawant, Haryana's Nayab Singh Saini and Meghalaya's Conrad Sangma.

Deputy chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, and Andhra Pradesh's Pawan Kalyan were present too.

Gupta, 50, was chosen as Leader of the House in the newly constituted 8th Delhi Assembly, in a meeting of the BJP legislature party on Wednesday.

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BJP picks 1st-time MLA Rekha; to be Delhi’s fourth woman CM

Delhi L-G V K Saxena invited Gupta to form the new government after she staked claim for it late Wednesday evening at Raj Niwas.

RSS roots, student activism see her to the top

The BJP ended a decade-long rule of Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP in Delhi, winning 48 of the 70 seats in the Assembly polls held on February 5. The BJP last had power in Delhi way back in 1993-98.

PM Modi with Delhi's new cabinet

February 20, 2025 12:54 pm

#WATCH | Along with Delhi's new cabinet, led by CM Rekha Gupta, Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets the crowd at Ramlila Maidan. pic.twitter.com/jiy2AbWjUd
— ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2025

Kapil Mishra takes oath as a minister

February 20, 2025 12:41 pm

#WATCH | BJP's Kapil Mishra takes oath as a minister in CM Rekha Gupta-led Delhi Government. pic.twitter.com/PVDlRfsq1U
— ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2025

Manjinder Singh Sirsa takes oath as a minister

February 20, 2025 12:39 pm

#WATCH | BJP's Manjinder Singh Sirsa takes oath as a minister in CM Rekha Gupta-led Delhi Government. pic.twitter.com/YNg5FInMoR
— ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2025

Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma takes oath as minister in CM Rekha Gupta-led Delhi Government

February 20, 2025 12:36 pm

#WATCH | BJP's Parvesh Sahib Singh takes oath as minister in CM Rekha Gupta-led Delhi Government. pic.twitter.com/0ertQiFXHO
— ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2025

Rekha Gupta takes oath as Delhi Chief Minister at Ramlila Ground

February 20, 2025 12:30 pm

#WATCH | BJP's first-time MLA Rekha Gupta takes oath as the Chief Minister of Delhi. Lt Governor VK Saxena administers her oath of office.

With this, Delhi gets its fourth woman CM, after BJP's Sushma Swaraj, Congress' Sheila Dikshit, and AAP's Atishi. pic.twitter.com/bU69pyvD7Y
— ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2025

PM Modi reaches Ramlila Maidan

February 20, 2025 12:26 pm

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaches Ramlila Maidan to attend the oath ceremony of Delhi CM designate Rekha Gupta pic.twitter.com/mmncYl3bku
— ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2025

Delhi CM-designate Rekha Gupta at Ramlila Maidan

February 20, 2025 12:26 pm

#WATCH | Delhi CM-designate Rekha Gupta does a 'Namaste' to the crowd at Ramlila Maidan. She will take oath as the Chief Minister shortly. pic.twitter.com/DItZ3mw9ct
— ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at swearing-in ceremony

February 20, 2025 12:24 pm

Rekha Gupta arrives at Ramlila Maidan ahead of swearing-in ceremony

February 20, 2025 12:01 pm

#WATCH | "Thank you Delhi," says Delhi CM-designate Rekha Gupta moments before she takes oath as the Chief Minister. pic.twitter.com/0e6OIG8kU5
— ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2025

Went into nostalgia when her name was announced: Congress leader Alka Lamba on CM-designate Rekha Gupta

February 20, 2025 11:59 am

#WATCH | Delhi: Congress leader Alka Lamba says, "My greetings to the new Delhi CM Rekha Gupta... I went into nostalgia when her name was announced... We always had an ideological battle with her... The safety of our daughters is the main concern in Delhi; I hope she works on… pic.twitter.com/NY433rwjBv
— ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2025

PM has always worked for women empowerment: BJP's Tarun Chugh

February 20, 2025 11:49 am

BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh said, "It is a welcome step. PM has always worked for women empowerment since May 26, 2014." BJP leader Alka Singh Gurjar asserted that Rekha Gupta has been a dedicated worker. "Joining in the guarantee of PM Modi to fulfil the pledges for Delhi, she will take Delhi to new heights of development," Alka said.

Whatever responsibility party gives, will carry it out diligently: Parvesh Verma on whether he will become Deputy CM

February 20, 2025 11:45 am

"I have always said that I am a dedicated worker of the BJP, and I will always remain one. The BJP made my father the CM of Delhi, and he continued to serve the party till his last breath. Whatever responsibility the party gives me; I will carry it out diligently," Parvesh said. Further, the BJP MLA emphasized that they will fulfil every promise made in their manifesto. "The people of Delhi have given us so much love, and today, after 27 years, a BJP government is about to form in Delhi. I express my gratitude to PM Modi, whose vision of development has earned the trust of the people. The people believe that under PM Modi's leadership, we will succeed in making Delhi the most beautiful capital," he said.

Thank PM Modi for giving due to Sikhs, AAP ignored community, says Manjinder Singh Sirsa

February 20, 2025 11:43 am

"...I have been given the opportunity to serve as a minister in Delhi. I am grateful for the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and Jagat Prakash Nadda... I am especially thankful that after 12 years, our leadership has reinstated the position of a Sikh Minister, which was lost due to the AAP government's policies..." He said he has been included in the team which has been formed to realise the vision of PM Modi for Delhi. "They have given me this opportunity to work as a Minister. I thank them for this. It's an opportunity for all of us to work together to make Delhi beautiful once again..." Sirsa said.

PM has a vision for this city, we will implement it together: Kapil Mishra

February 20, 2025 11:41 am

Ahead of taking oath as Delhi Minister, BJP MLA Kapil Mishra, "I express my gratitude to Mata Rani and seek her blessings to have the strength to implement PM Modi's vision and serve the people effectively... I have not come here (to the temple) to ask for anything, I am here to express gratitude. PM has a vision for this city, we will implement it together..." He further said that whatever is needed for the development of Delhi will be done. "It is all happening with the blessings of the Almighty," he added.

Kailash Kher composes 'Ye Shankhnaad Hai', says 'dilli vasiyu ke liye dhanyavaad geet hai'

February 20, 2025 11:39 am

In a conversation with ANI, Kher said, "It is a song to express the gratitude towards the people of Delhi for giving this mandate and choosing the right government. So, hamari taraf see dilli vassiyou ko, desh ki janta ko ye shannkh naad hai..to ye dilli vasiyu ke liye dhanyavaad geet hai" Taking to his Instagram handle, the singer wrote, "Congratulations on this historic and brave victory along with oath taking, this is a musical gift to every resident in Delhi. The victory song released in few moments is dedicated to Delhi by Kailash Kher and Kailasa."

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A post shared by Kailash Kher (@kailashkher)

Rekha Gupta slams AAP

February 20, 2025 11:16 am

Slamming the previous AAP government, CM-designate Rekha Gupta said, "They will have to give an account for each and every penny to the people."

Celebrations at Ramlila Maidan

February 20, 2025 11:11 am

The Ramlila Maidan in Delhi is buzzing with energy and excitement as Rekha Gupta is set to take the oath as new Delhi CM. The venue is packed with enthusiastic supporters and party cadres, all eagerly awaiting the arrival of the PM Modi and the CM-designate. BJP supporters are seen waving flags, creating a sea of saffron across the arena. The air is filled with chants of “Jai Shree Ram” and “PM Modi Zindabad,” as party loyalists show their unwavering support. Outside the Ramlila Maidan, the celebrations continue with fervor. Artists dressed in masks perform lively dances, adding to the festive mood.

Delhi Cabinet to visit Yamuna Ghat after swearing-in ceremony

February 20, 2025 11:07 am

Rekha Gupta and her entire cabinet will visit the Yamuna Ghat to assess the river's cleanliness. The visit signals the new Delhi government's commitment to addressing the long-standing issue of Yamuna pollution, which was a major issue in the recent Assembly elections.

Rekha Gupta leaves for swearing-in ceremony

February 20, 2025 11:05 am

Before reaching the Ramlila Maidan, the CM-designate took out a public rally and showed a 'victory sign' for her party. She first offered prayers at the Hanuman Mandir at Kashmiri gate before proceeding to the venue.

Rohini MLA Vijender Gupta is BJP's candidate to be new Delhi Assembly Speaker

February 20, 2025 10:14 am

Confirming his nomination by the party, Gupta told PTI, "I will first of all get the CAG reports that were kept pending by the previous AAP government tabled before the House." The third-term Rohini legislator, along with other BJP MLAs, had approached the court earlier, alleging that the AAP government was preventing the tabling of 14 Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports on its performance.

Women in Delhi to get Rs 2,500 monthly aid by March 8: CM-designate Rekha Gupta

February 20, 2025 10:12 am

Ahead of the polls, the BJP's manifesto aimed to outdo the Aam Aadmi Party's announcement of Rs 2,100 monthly support if it came to power. "Fulfilling the dream of PM Modi is the responsibility of all 48 BJP MLAs in the capital. We will definitely fulfill all our promises, including financial support for women. Women will 100 per cent get monetary support into their accounts by March 8," she said.

Parvesh Verma, Kapil Mishra to be part of Delhi Cabinet, 6 MLAs to take oath as ministers

February 20, 2025 10:10 am

A Union Home Ministry notification stated that the President, on the advice of Chief Minister-designate Rekha Gupta, appointed BJP MLAs Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma, Ashish Sood, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Ravinder Indraj, Kapil Mishra and Pankaj Kumar Singh as ministers of the Delhi government. The new ministers will take oath along with CM-designate Gupta in a grand ceremony at Ramlila Maidan.

Over 25,000 security personnel deployed for oath ceremony

February 20, 2025 10:05 am

Over 15 companies of paramilitary forces have also been deployed across the national capital. Around 50,000 people, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his Cabinet colleagues and chief ministers of National Democratic Alliance-governed states, among others, are expected to attend the ceremony.

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