With Rekha Gupta as CM, BJP brings 'Viksit Delhi' and women empowerment to the forefront of its political strategy

The historic Ramlila Maidan in Delhi was packed on Thursday to witness the swearing-in of Delhi's fourth woman chief minister, Rekha Gupta. 

By picking a woman chief minister, the Bharatiya Janata Party has acknowledged the growing support of women voters in the recent elections. Women outvoted men in several constituencies of the national capital in the February 5 assembly elections.

At the swearing-in, too, women gathered in large numbers to show their support for Gupta.

“If I can be the CM, it means doors are open for all women”, said Gupta before her swearing-in, reiterating her commitment towards women's empowerment. Gupta is the second woman chief minister currently in office after West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, which further solidifies her stature as a prominent female leader in Indian politics.

As she takes on her new role, Gupta has more than one battle to fight— to not only prove herself as an able administrator but also fulfil the expectations of Delhi voters who entrusted governance to the BJP after 27 years.

Reiterating her commitment to Delhi people, Gupta said she would make Delhi ‘Viksit’. 

The promises made by the saffron party to the women voters during the election campaign will be the first and foremost responsibility of the newly elected CM. The promise of  ₹2,500 monthly financial aid and ₹21,000 promised to pregnant women needs to be fulfilled effectively.  Access to better and cheaper health facilities for women is expected to be another priority of the BJP. 

“All promises made by the party will be fulfilled," she said.

Gupta’s tenure will also be keenly watched for the steps she would take to ensure women's safety—a perennial issue for Delhi residents. Safer roads for women will be a top priority for the city, still haunted by the 2012 Nirbhaya case. 

Though the Delhi Police do not come directly under the purview of the Delhi government, the BJP's presence both at the state and the Centre gives hope for better coordination. 

Kaumudee, a college student, shared this view. “Having a women CM in Delhi fills me with a lot of hope that now roads of Delhi will be safer for women to travel at night. I travel in autos and that is risky, especially at night. But now having Rekha Gupta as the CM, things will change for the better.”

Delhi has seen only three women chief ministers before— Atishi, Sheila Dikshit and Sushma Swaraj. Hence, the expectations are higher from Gupta.

Alka, a former student of Delhi University and a voter in the national capital, said: “ I hope things will be different this time. She (Gupta) has served as a general secretary of the Delhi Student Union and this makes me have faith in her governance that she will lead Delhi to a brighter future.” 

The Yamuna clean-up drive, an issue highlighted during the assembly elections and an emotional topic for Delhihites, will also be a testing ground for the new CM. The Chath Puja, an event that witnesses a large number of women taking a dip in the Yamuna, is just around six months away. The party and the CM are well aware of this as they make Yamuna ghat the first stop for the newly elected cabinet.

Alka Lamba, a Congress leader, who had taken oath as the DUSU president in 1995 along with Rekha Gupta who was elected as the secretary, wrote on X: “Congratulations to Delhi for getting its fourth woman chief minister.  We hope #MaaYamuna will be clean, and daughters will be safe”. 

Being a first-time MLA, Gupta was not widely known beyond the party circles. But the BJP is known for choosing lesser-known faces for CM.

Now by appointing Gupta to lead the capital, the party has taken a significant step toward placing women’s leadership at the forefront of its political strategy. With upcoming elections in Bihar, Assam, and West Bengal, Gupta will be BJP’s mascot to reach out to the women voters.