How BJP Picked Rekha Gupta For Delhi CM’s Post | InFocus Episode 10 | Jist

Rekha Gupta has taken charge as the Chief Minister of Delhi after her swearing-in at the Ramlila Maidan. She is the fourth woman CM in the national capital. Along with her, six ministers also took oath.

The BJP picked Rekha Gupta to lead its first government in Delhi in 27 years after considering many long term factors.

First, women voters have played a key role in recent BJP victories from Haryana to Maharashtra to Delhi. But the BP, despite ruling in 14 states/UTs and five with allies, till today didn't have a woman chief minister. So, Delhi provided a chance for the BJP to send out a pan-India signal to its women supporters.

Second, even though Arvind Kejriwal and AAP lost the Delhi election, he tried to project himself as the leader of the bania trading class. Given the huge influence that the trading community has in Delhi, being from a bania family became an advantage for Rekha Gupta to be BJP's choice for CM.

Third, it sends out a message to the cadre that the party takes care of those who silently toil to rise through the ranks.

Fourth, and not the least is Rekha Gupta's record of aggressively countering Kejriwal. The party saw in her the ability to take on a hostile Opposition and defend her ground.

And on the first day in the office, her cabinet has taken two decisions. First, ₹5 lakh top-up has been approved for beneficiaries of the Ayushman Bharat scheme in Delhi. Second, 14 CAG reports, ignored by the previous government, will be tabled in the first Assembly session.