RSS roots, student activism see her to the top

Minutes after Rekha Gupta was named as Delhi’s new CM, Congress leader Alka Lamba shared a nostalgic three-decade-old photograph of the two women, likely in their twenties, taking oath after winning the 1995 Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections.

Lamba had won as president from the NSUI, while Rekha, representing the ABVP, was elected general secretary. A year later, in 1996-97, Rekha became DUSU president, actively advocating student-related issues.

From her days as a fiery student leader to becoming Delhi’s 9th Chief Minister, Rekha has traversed a remarkable journey to reach the pinnacle of the capital’s politics. With deep-rooted ties to the RSS and a strong focus on women’s welfare, Rekha is set to make history as the only female Chief Minister among the 18 NDA-ruled states. She will also be the fourth woman to hold the post in Delhi, following Sushma Swaraj, Sheila Dikshit and Atishi.

The Shalimar Bagh MLA will take oath as Delhi’s CM at the iconic Ramlila Ground on Thursday, in a ceremony attended by the BJP’s top leadership and several other dignitaries. Born in Julana in Jind district of Haryana and raised in Delhi, Rekha’s early life was steeped in the city’s vibrant cultural and political milieu. A graduate in political science, her passion for social change was ignited during her college years, where she actively participated in student activism and local volunteer work.

Rekha holds a BCom degree from Delhi University’s Daulat Ram College and a law degree from Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut. She also practised as an advocate before entering formal politics. Her political career began with the BJP, driven by a desire to bring systemic reforms from the ground up. She served as a three-time councillor and as the mayor of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC). In 2022, she was the BJP’s mayoral candidate against AAP’s Shelly Oberoi.

Rekha has held several key positions within the BJP, including general secretary of the BJP Mahila Morcha in Delhi and member of the party’s national executive committee. She has also served as the BJP’s women wing in-charge in MP and UP and is currently the national vice-president of the BJP Mahila Morcha.

As a councillor from North Pitampura in 2007, Rekha championed initiatives for women and children’s welfare, including the Sumedha Yojana, which supported economically weaker female students. With women now constituting 45 per cent of Delhi’s electorate — approximately 7.1 million voters — political analysts believe Rekha’s leadership could significantly influence the capital’s future.