Following the BJP’s impressive win in the Delhi assembly elections, discussions are intensifying about the next Chief Minister. This time, the party might select a woman from its newly elected MLAs. Additionally, there are talks of naming a deputy chief minister with a socially representative background, ensuring a balanced leadership team.

Cabinet Diversity

The new cabinet is expected to reflect diversity, with a mix of women and Dalit leaders. This move is seen as a step towards inclusive governance.

With 48 out of 70 seats, the BJP has ended its 26-year wait to return to power in Delhi. In contrast, AAP, led by Arvind Kejriwal, managed only 22 seats.

Weighing the Options

A senior BJP leader revealed that the party is considering multiple options for the CM post. Specifically, they are looking at candidates from Purvanchal, a Sikh leader, or a woman, depending on the political scenario. This cautious approach mirrors the party’s strategy in past elections in states like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Odisha.

Top Women Candidates

Several women are being considered for the CM position:

• Rekha Gupta – The Shalimar Bagh MLA and national vice president of BJP’s women’s wing. She won her seat with a comfortable margin of 29,595 votes.
• Shikha Roy – The MLA from Greater Kailash, who triumphed over AAP’s Saurabh Bharadwaj in a tight race.
• Poonam Sharma – The Wazirpur MLA, who secured her victory by 11,425 votes.
• Neelam Pehalwan – The Najafgarh MLA, who won with a massive 1,01,708 votes.
• Smriti Irani – Although she lost in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the former Union Minister remains a strong contender.
• Bansuri Swaraj – The daughter of the late Sushma Swaraj, who emerged victorious from New Delhi.

If a woman is chosen, she would join the short list of female Chief Ministers in Delhi, which includes Sushma Swaraj, Sheila Dikshit, and Atishi.

Swearing-In Ceremony Timing

Reports suggest that the swearing-in ceremony will likely take place once Prime Minister Narendra Modi returns from his US trip. The BJP is planning a grand event to celebrate its comeback, with chief ministers from all NDA-ruled states expected to attend.

Other Possible Candidates

Aside from the women candidates, several other names are also in the mix:

• Vijender Gupta – The MLA from Rohini.
• Ajay Mahawar – The MLA from Ghonda.
• Abhay Verma – The MLA from Laxmi Nagar

Furthermore, Kapil Mishra, who switched from AAP to BJP, and Parvesh Verma, who defeated Kejriwal in New Delhi, are also being discussed as potential candidates.

Final Decision by BJP Leadership

Ultimately, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva confirmed that the final decision will be made by the party’s top leadership. The new Chief Minister will need to collaborate closely with BJP-ruled Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to tackle key issues like roads, transport, and water supply.