As CM, Rekha Gupta Gets 'Z' Category Security; Now She Must Ensure Safety Of All Women In Delhi: Alka Lamba to News18

Last Updated:February 20, 2025, 19:35 IST

Highlighting that women's security is a major issue in Delhi, Congress leader Lamba said late chief minister Sheila Dikshit faced the heat of the 2012 Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case that spurred nationwide protests

Lamba recalled that even as a college student, Gupta had an aggressive nature, which she has to let go of as the chief minister of Delhi. File image/X

The selection of Bharatiya Janata Party’s Rekha Gupta as the new chief minister of Delhi made Congress leader Alka Lamba reminisce about their college days when 30 years ago they started their political careers almost simultaneously. Lamba, who is now the president of the All India Mahila Congress, said Gupta has a big responsibility to ensure that all women in Delhi feel safe.

Speaking to News18, Lamba said everyone looks at Delhi as it is the national capital, and what is happening in Delhi becomes news internationally.

“She is a first-time MLA, and she has a lot of challenges before her. But she also has all the support, which is giving people hope that she will do good despite holding the office for the first time. She has the Prime Minister, home minister and the entire union government with her. The L-G is with you and the issues that were faced by the last government will not be there for her," Lamba said.

It is also likely that even the MCD mayor will be from the BJP, so there is no place where Gupta will not get support, the Congress leader added.

Highlighting that women’s security is a major issue in Delhi, Lamba said late chief minister Sheila Dikshit faced the heat of the 2012 Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case that spurred nationwide protests. Dikshit remains the longest-serving CM of Delhi. She first entered office in 1998 and remained the CM until 2013.

“When the chief minister is a woman, it is expected that the state, in this case the national capital, is safe for women. Rekhaji gets the ‘Z’ category security. She is safe now. For any woman CM, the most important thing is that women in the city feel as safe as the chief minister feels," Lamba added.

The Congress leader said although Gupta has been a senior office-bearer in the BJP women’s wing, no one has ever seen her on the streets in support of women or in cases of crimes against women.

“I have never seen her on the streets raising voices in the fight for women’s safety and rights. But now, as she is answerable to the entire city, I hope she will take care of every woman in Delhi," Lamba added.

Recalling their days at Delhi University, Lamba added that the term was just one year when she won the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) elections in 1995 and became its president from the Students’ Union of India (NSUI). Gupta was elected as general secretary of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) the same year. Both were in their final year of graduation and were about 20 years old.

Lamba recalled that even as a college student, Gupta had an aggressive nature, which she has to let go of as the chief minister of Delhi.

“Ideological fight has its own place. But it should not impact the pace of development. Her behaviour, her language, and her conduct should be fair; otherwise, the journey will be very difficult for her," Lamba said.

The responsibility that Gupta is getting as the Delhi chief minister is not a small achievement, the Congress leader said, adding that she will do good and justify her responsibility. Lamba also said the two leaders are from totally different ideologies. While Gupta follows the RSS, Lamba believes in the Gandhian ideology.

“That doesn’t make us enemies. But we always had this difference between us. But I am really happy that the BJP has trusted a woman to be the chief minister of Delhi. If Gupta is successful, Delhi will be successful too. It is time that the works should be done, keeping aside ideologies; otherwise, there will be no work and only conflict. Politics should be left to political parties. It is not for those holding constitutional positions. She does not belong to any particular community now as she is the CM of entire Delhi," Lamba added.

Gupta took oath as the Delhi chief minister on Thursday morning.

News politics As CM, Rekha Gupta Gets 'Z' Category Security; Now She Must Ensure Safety Of All Women In Delhi: Alka Lamba to News18