Rekha Gupta- Not Quite The 'Bhagya Rekha' Of Delhi For Everyone At Ramlila

Last Updated:February 20, 2025, 18:10 IST

Ankit Kumar came from Srinivas Puri in Delhi on Thursday to witness BJP come back to power in Delhi. The BJP cadre told News18, "Rekha Gupta wasn't my choice for CM. I wanted Parvesh Verma to be CM."

Delhi CM Rekha Gupta

On Wednesday, the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) ended the suspense by declaring the name of Rekha Gupta — a Baniya face as Delhi’s CM-elect who took the oath in a grand ceremony on Thursday at 12 in the afternoon in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the entire Union cabinet and most NDA-ruled CMs and Deputy CMs. Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu called it a “new era" while UP Deputy CM KP Maurya remarked about her, “… Rekha Gupta will become the ‘Bhagya Rekha’ and ‘Vikas Rekha’ of Delhi…"

It all portrays a rosy picture of a disciplined force — which the BJP is by and large — and zero objections to Delhi’s new ‘Bhagya Rekha’ as its CM. However, if one goes interacting with the thick crowd of BJP cadres filling the Ramlila Ground on Thursday morning, one will get a sense that is not quite the case.

Ankit Kumar came from Srinivas Puri in Delhi on Thursday to witness BJP come back to power in Delhi. The BJP cadre told News18, “Rekha Gupta wasn’t my choice for CM. I wanted Parvesh Verma to be CM." He cites his “work" and his “father’s legacy" as reasons. However, he adds, “Partys decision is supreme".

Ankit came with Sanjay Goswami who was standing with a large cutout of Amit Shah after the oath taking ceremony was over. He too resonated the same sentiment. “I wanted Verma to be CM. He defeated Kejriwal. But now that Rekha Gupta is the choice of the party, she is our choice as well," he says.

But Ishwar Singh is very happy that particularly Verma didn’t get the top job. “I have come from Uttam Nagar. I love the party. I have worked for the party. But if he would become CM, Jat’s would get favourable treatment. With Rekha Gupta at helm, that possibility is averted," he tells grinning.

Surprisingly, many women cadres News18 spoke to are willing to judge Gupta by her governance style and not because she is a woman. However, none wished to be named.

Uma Sharma who is part of the Mahila Morcha came from Tilak Nagar however dismissed this, “Everyone is happy about the CM pick."

Meanwhile just opposite Ram Lila Ground – The venue of Thursdays biggest event that BJP branded as ‘Viksit Bharat ki sapath grahan’, the minorities occupied LNJP colony watched the celebration with caution. The glitters that were pumped into the air were placed right near their houses and BJP cadres too stationed with large vessel full of rose petals to be thrown at VVIP cars as they make their way out. Though the kids join in the fun, the seniors preferred to remain indoors and watch from there.

News18 caught hold of Md Imran who took his 10-month-old toddler out for fresh air. He said, there’s a conspiracy theory within the colony that the new BJP government will demolish their colony. “However, I don’t believe it. I am ready to give this government a chance. While Modi talks about inclusivity, why spread fear? Let’s wait for six months and see how Rekha Guptas government performs. I have faith in Modi’s promise," he tells News18.

Delhi, India, India

News india Rekha Gupta- Not Quite The 'Bhagya Rekha' Of Delhi For Everyone At Ramlila