In a grand ceremony, Delhi’s new Chief Minister, Rekha Gupta, took the oath of Chief Minister of Delhi. Congress leader Alka Lamba shared recollections from three decades ago. Though they had different political views, Lamba and Gupta once collaborated on the Delhi University Students’ Union in 1995.
CM Rekha Gupta, winner of the General Secretary election from Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), spent a year working before his political path split with Lamba, who won the DUSU president’s position from the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI).
Alka Lamba Thinking Back
“I want her to succeed. But, there will be challenges for her within the BJP itself. Parvesh Verma was thinking he would become the Chief Minister…I hope BJP will give her the full five years of this position.” Lamba informed NDTV that she used to bring guests with a Gandhi approach for lectures in college and that they used to come from the BJP.
1995 की यह यादगार तस्वीर – जब मैंने और रेखा गुप्ता ने एक साथ शपथ ग्रहण की थी-
मैंने @nsui से दिल्ली विश्वविद्यालय छात्र संघ (DUSU) #अध्यक्ष पद पर जीत हासिल की थी और रेखा ने #ABVP से #महासचिव पद पर जीत हासिल की थी- रेखा गुप्ता को बधाई और शुभकामनाएँ.
दिल्ली को चौथी महिला… pic.twitter.com/csM1Rmwu9y— Alka Lamba 🇮🇳 (@LambaAlka) February 19, 2025
Three decades ago, Lamdha also posted a picture of the two top officials swearing their oath in 1995. “This memorable photo from 1995 – when Rekha Gupta and I took oath together. I won the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) Adhyaksh post from NSUI and Rekha won the MahaSachiv post from ABVP. Congratulations,” she captioned the picture.
Political Travel Followed Divergent Courses
Alka Lamba mentioned that she had not seen Gupta since her DUSU years. She became a counselor, and I did not, so we never met after that. The second time I saw her would have been 30 years ago,” she said.
Though they were politically different, Lamba recognized Gupta’s accomplishment and hoped her new position would be okay. “I hope she will prevail. Still, within the BJP itself, she will face obstacles. Parvesh Verma hoped to be the Chief Minister. I trust the BJP will allow her the entire five-year term of this post,” she included.
Lamba also considered Gupta’s prior political belligerence, especially in the context of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) elections. During the election for the MCD House Standing Committee members, we observed her violently vandalizing the podium and microphone. Presently, she is the Chief Minister. Considerable weight is running the assembly. She said, “I believe she can do it well whether she wants to.”
Delhi Fourth Lady Chief Minister
Following Atishi of AAP, Sushma Swaraj of BJP, and Sheila Dikshit of Congress is Rekha Gupta, the fourth woman to serve as Delhi Chief Minister.
Lamba hoped that the administration of Gupta would help Delhi’s women. Hope arises that the state will be secure for women when a woman is a Chief Minister. Women should also be financially and socially empowered along with this. She said, “I’m delighted that Delhi once more has a female Chief Minister.”
Lamba came in second behind Atishi, the incumbent Chief Minister and AAP leader, in the Delhi assembly polls held on 5 February.
Ramlila Grounds Official Large Event
Having won the Shalimar Bagh seat by besting AAP challenger Bandana Kumari, Gupta swore at a gala event on Ramlila Maidan in Delhi. Chief Ministers and Deputy Chief Ministers from 20 states, as well as BJP leaders and workers from all over the country who had campaigned in the Delhi elections, attended.
Having said during the BJP’s campaign, the new Chief Minister now has to rule the national capital while delivering the promises made.
