New Delhi: Rekha Gupta was officially sworn in as the Chief Minister of Delhi on Thursday at Ramlila Maidan, marking her as the fourth woman to assume the role. Following her oath-taking, BJP leaders Parvesh Verma, Ashish Sood, Kapil Mishra, Ravindra Indraj Singh, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, and Pankaj Kumar Singh were inducted as cabinet ministers in the Delhi government.
With this victory, the BJP has reclaimed power in the national capital after 26 years, securing a decisive mandate. However, the new government faces significant challenges, including fulfilling key election promises, continuing welfare schemes from the previous administration, tackling pollution, improving infrastructure, and delivering on its commitment to cleaning the Yamuna River.
Election Outcome and Key Priorities:
In the recently concluded 70-member Delhi Assembly elections, the BJP secured a commanding victory with 48 seats, while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) won 22 seats, marking the end of AAP’s decade-long governance in the capital.
Among the top priorities for Chief Minister Rekha Gupta will be the implementation of the BJP’s key poll promise—providing a monthly honorarium of ₹2,500 to women in Delhi. This commitment, which was designed to outmatch AAP’s offer of ₹2,100, was a major campaign highlight. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a rally in Dwarka on February 1, had assured that the decision to transfer the funds would be taken in the first cabinet meeting.
However, AAP has already questioned BJP’s commitment to fulfilling this promise. Outgoing Chief Minister Atishi stated on Friday that she would hold the new government accountable for the implementation of this scheme.
Continuity of Welfare Schemes and Policy Challenges
One of the biggest challenges for the BJP government will be continuing key welfare schemes introduced by AAP, such as:
Free electricity up to 200 units
Free water connections
Free bus rides for women
While the BJP has assured voters that these benefits will not be discontinued, AAP leaders remain skeptical about the party’s long-term commitment to these policies. During the election campaign, PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah promised that welfare schemes would continue but emphasized that corruption within these programs would be eliminated.
Additionally, the BJP has promised to introduce the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme in Delhi, which was previously rejected by the AAP government. The scheme provides free treatment up to ₹5 lakh per beneficiary, with an additional ₹5 lakh covered by the state government. The AAP had argued that Delhi’s existing healthcare system was superior, but the BJP now aims to reform and rebrand the Mohalla Clinics as "Ayushman Arogya Mandirs" to improve healthcare services.
Allegations of Corruption and Investigations
The BJP has frequently accused the AAP government of corruption, particularly in delaying the tabling of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports in the assembly. Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva has confirmed that all pending reports will be presented and corruption allegations will be investigated thoroughly.
The two major corruption allegations against the previous AAP government include:
1. The ‘Sheesh Mahal’ controversy – AAP leaders were accused of misusing public funds for extravagant renovations.
2. The liquor policy case – Allegations of irregularities in Delhi’s excise policy led to multiple investigations.
Cleaning the Yamuna and Addressing Infrastructure Concerns
The BJP government has also prioritized cleaning the Yamuna River, a major issue during its election campaign. The party accused AAP of failing to clean the river in its decade-long rule, while Arvind Kejriwal had blamed the BJP-led Haryana government for polluting the water with "poisonous ammonia."
Following the BJP’s victory, PM Modi reaffirmed his commitment to the clean-up drive. The administration has already deployed trash skimmers, weed harvesters, and dredgers to remove pollutants from the 57-km stretch of the Yamuna in Delhi.
Beyond the Yamuna, the government will also focus on fixing Delhi’s deteriorating roads and sewage systems, as poor infrastructure was a major voter concern. Addressing these issues will be critical to maintaining public trust.
Combating Pollution and Revamping Policies
Pollution remains a persistent issue in Delhi, which ranks among the most polluted capitals in the world. The BJP will be under pressure to implement an effective pollution control strategy, including:
Strengthening anti-pollution measures
Revising the electric vehicle (EV) policy, which AAP failed to update after its launch in 2020
Expanding green energy initiatives
Political Stability and Internal BJP Challenges
A major test for the BJP government will be maintaining political stability in Delhi. During its previous tenure from 1993 to 1998, the party saw three different chief ministers—Madan Lal Khurana, Sahib Singh Verma, and Sushma Swaraj.
AAP has already raised concerns about possible internal conflicts within the BJP’s Delhi unit. Senior AAP leader Gopal Rai remarked, “Their delay in choosing a CM shows they do not have a face and there are internal rifts. The reality is that history could repeat itself, and we may see three chief ministers in five years.”
The BJP took over 10 days to finalize Rekha Gupta as the Chief Minister after its victory in the February 8 elections.
Impact on AAP and National Politics
The next five years of BJP rule in Delhi will have wider political implications. AAP, which emerged as a national player by forming a government in Punjab and expanding to other states, suffered a significant setback in Delhi. Its defeat could weaken its standing among opposition parties.
At the same time, BJP’s governance in Delhi will play a crucial role in shaping the national political landscape. The party’s performance in fulfilling promises, maintaining stability, and addressing critical issues will determine whether it can consolidate its position in the capital ahead of future elections.
(With PTI inputs)