Why BJP chose first-time MLA Rekha Gupta as Delhi CM
What's the story
In an unpredictable move, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) appointed first-time MLA Rekha Gupta as the new Delhi chief minister on Wednesday.
Gupta will take oath on Thursday at a grand ceremony at Ramlila Maidan, becoming the fourth woman to hold this position in Delhi, after Sushma Swaraj, Sheila Dikshit and Atishi.
The move is viewed as the BJP's strategy to bolster gender representation and counter Trinamool Congress's claim of West Bengal being the only state with a woman leader.
Demographic strategy
Gupta's appointment aims to resonate with Vaishya community
Another reason is her background. Gupta belongs to the Vaishya community, which makes up around 8% of Delhi's electorate and is largely involved in business and trade.
Her appointment is likely to strike a chord with this community and the larger business class, comprising 30% of Delhi's population.
The BJP hopes to use this connection to bolster its presence in Bihar, where OBC voters make up around 63% of the electorate—a voter base long held by the Rashtriya Janata Dal.
Political maneuver
Gupta's appointment to impact Bihar and Uttar Pradesh
The strategic implications of Gupta's appointment go beyond Bihar to Uttar Pradesh, where OBCs constitute nearly 52% of voters.
By placing an OBC leader like Gupta in Delhi, the BJP hopes to consolidate support among non-Yadav OBC communities, who have traditionally supported the Samajwadi Party.
Gupta's strong connections with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) also strengthen her credentials in BJP circles.
RSS affiliation
Gupta's RSS background strengthens her political credentials
Born on July 19, 1974, in Julana, Haryana, Gupta was influenced by the RSS from an early age.
Rekha began her political career in 1992 by joining the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the RSS's student wing, at Daulat Ram College, Delhi University.
She became president of the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) in 1999, later becoming general secretary of the Delhi BJP Mahila Morcha.
Achievements
Her journey
She also served as Chairperson of the Women's Welfare and Child Development Committee MCD for two years, from 2007 to 2009.
Rekha was elected as a councillor for North Pitampura in 2007 and re-elected in 2012.
She also served as mayor of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation. However, she lost the MCD mayoral elections in 2023.
In the recent election, she defeated AAP's Bandana Kumari and Congress's Parveen Kumar Jain by 29,595 votes from the Shalimar Bagh constituency.