Summary: BJP is set to reveal Delhi’s new Chief Minister today after nearly three decades. A key meeting at PM Modi’s residence will finalize the selection ahead of the grand oath ceremony at Ramlila Maidan.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is poised to announce the name of Delhi’s new Chief Minister today, marking its return to power in the national capital after nearly three decades. The selection process will culminate in a grand oath-taking ceremony at Ramlila Maidan on Thursday.
Key Meetings and Selection Process
The decision-making process will kick off at noon, when the BJP’s Parliamentary Board—the party’s highest decision-making authority—meets to appoint ‘observers’ who will oversee the selection of the new Chief Minister.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose international commitments to France and the United States delayed the process, is expected to attend this crucial meeting at the BJP headquarters in Delhi.
At 6:15 PM, the BJP’s newly elected MLAs will convene to select their leader in the Assembly, who will be officially designated as the Chief Minister of Delhi. The oath ceremony is scheduled for Thursday at 11 AM and will take place at the historic Ramlila Maidan.
Oath Ceremony Details
The grand swearing-in event will run from 11:00 AM to 12:34 PM, with the Chief Minister taking the oath at 12:05 PM. The ceremony will feature three stages:
- One for PM Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, and the new Chief Minister.
- Another for invited religious leaders.
- A third for over 200 MPs and MLAs, including those from BJP and its allies.
Among the prominent guests invited are outgoing Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal (AAP) and Delhi Congress Chief Devender Yadav.
Who Will Be Delhi’s New Chief Minister?
Speculation is rife about who will lead Delhi as the first BJP Chief Minister since 1998. A shortlist of 15 candidates has reportedly been finalized from the 48 BJP MLAs, covering potential Cabinet members and the Assembly Speaker.
Top Contenders for Delhi CM
- Parvesh Verma – Two-time MP and BJP’s biggest favorite, having defeated Arvind Kejriwal in the New Delhi constituency.
- Virendra Sachdeva – BJP’s Delhi unit chief and a strong organizational leader.
- Bansuri Swaraj – First-time MP and daughter of late BJP stalwart Sushma Swaraj.
- Satish Upadhyay – BJP’s key Brahmin face in Delhi.
There are also rumors that BJP may opt for a woman Chief Minister, with potential candidates including Neelam Pahalwan, Rekha Gupta, Poonam Sharma, and Shikha Roy—all newly elected MLAs.
BJP’s Resurgence in Delhi Elections
BJP’s return to power in Delhi has been nothing short of historic. On February 8, as election results rolled in, it became evident that Modi’s party had swept 48 out of 70 seats, putting an end to nearly 26 years of non-BJP rule in the capital.
For comparison:
- AAP, weighed down by corruption allegations against Arvind Kejriwal, managed to win only 22 seats, a sharp decline from its 67-seat victory in 2015 and 62 in 2020.
- Congress was completely routed for the third consecutive election, struggling to regain its former foothold in Delhi politics.
What’s Next for Delhi?
With BJP set to form the government, all eyes are now on who will be announced as Delhi’s new leader. The final decision will reflect BJP’s strategy to govern the national capital effectively while preparing for the 2029 General Elections.