The anticipation around the CM's identity has sparked widespread speculation, with multiple candidates being considered
BJP Legislative Party to meet on Tuesday to pick Delhi CM (File Photo)
New Delhi: The BJP is set to form the next government in Delhi, bringing an end to the decade-long rule of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). In a symbolic turn of events, the new chief minister is likely to be sworn in at Ramlila Maidan on Thursday — the same venue where AAP, born out of Anna Hazare’s 2011 anti-corruption movement, rose to prominence.
According to BJP insiders, the suspense over Delhi’s next chief minister will end on Wednesday, when the newly elected BJP legislators are expected to elect their leader at the party’s state unit office on Pandit Pant Marg. Sources indicate that the party leadership is considering appointing a woman as chief minister.
The oath-taking ceremony is scheduled for 4.30 pm on February 20 at Ramlila Maidan, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, senior BJP leaders, and chief ministers from NDA-ruled states expected to attend. The event is being planned on a grand scale, with an estimated 80,000 people likely to witness the ceremony. To facilitate crowd movement, 1,000 buses have been arranged.
A senior BJP leader stated, “The swearing-in at Ramlila Maidan signifies how the axis of power has shifted away from AAP.” Preparations are in full swing, with three stages being erected for the event, and saints, sages, and foreign diplomats are also expected to be present.
The BJP leadership is known for making surprise picks when appointing chief ministers, but several names have emerged as frontrunners for the post. Among them are Rekha Gupta (Shalimar Bagh), Shikha Roy (Greater Kailash), Parvesh Verma (New Delhi), Manjinder Singh Sirsa (Rajouri Garden), Satish Upadhyay (Malviya Nagar), Vijender Gupta (Rohini), Ravindra Indraj Singh (Bawana), and Kailash Gangwal (Madipur).
The BJP’s return to power in Delhi after 26 years came with a sweeping victory in the recent Assembly elections. The party won 48 of the 70 seats, decisively defeating AAP, which secured just 22 seats — a sharp decline from its 62-seat majority in 2020. The defeat was particularly bitter for AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, who lost his New Delhi seat to BJP’s Parvesh Verma.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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