The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is discussing who will be the next Chief Minister of Delhi after its big victory in the Delhi Assembly election. The party won 48 out of 70 seats, ending its 26-year wait to return to power. Now, everyone is waiting to see who the BJP will choose for the top post.

Will BJP choose a woman CM?

This time, the BJP might pick a woman as the chief Minister. There are also reports that the party may appoint a deputy chief minister from a different social background to ensure diverse leadership.

Some of the top women leaders being considered are:

  • Rekha Gupta (Shalimar Bagh MLA): She is the national vice president of BJP’s women’s wing and won her seat with a margin of 29,595 votes.
  • Shikha Roy (Greater Kailash MLA): She won against AAP’s senior leader Saurabh Bharadwaj.
  • Poonam Sharma (Wazirpur MLA): She won by 11,425 votes.
  • Neelam Pehalwan (Najafgarh MLA): She secured a massive victory with 101,708 votes.
  • Smriti Irani (Former Union Minister): Although she lost the 2024 Lok Sabha election from Amethi, she remains a strong contender.
  • Bansuri Swaraj (New Delhi Lok Sabha MP): She is the daughter of late BJP leader Sushma Swaraj and a rising star in the party.

If a woman is chosen, she will join a small group of women who have led Delhi in the past—Sushma Swaraj (BJP), Sheila Dikshit (Congress), and Atishi (AAP).

Other possible CM candidates

Apart from women leaders, some male leaders are also being considered.

  • Vijender Gupta (Rohini MLA)
  • Ajay Mahawar (Ghonda MLA)
  • Abhay Verma (Laxmi Nagar MLA)
  • Kapil Mishra (former AAP leader, now in BJP)
  • Parvesh Verma (defeated Arvind Kejriwal in New Delhi)

The final decision will be made by the top BJP leadership. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said the party will carefully choose the best candidate for the role.

When will the decision be made?

The decision on the new chief minister will likely be made after Prime Minister Narendra Modi returns from his US visit. The BJP is planning a big swearing-in ceremony to celebrate its return to power. Many chief ministers from BJP-ruled states are expected to attend the event.

The new CM will have to work closely with BJP-ruled Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to solve important issues like roads, transport, and water supply. Everyone is eagerly waiting to see who will lead Delhi in this new chapter of governance.

Read: The political history of Delhi: From Congress to AAP to BJP—What changed?