New Delhi's New Leader: Rekha Gupta Steps In

In a surprising move, India's ruling party, the BJP, has appointed Rekha Gupta as the new chief minister of Delhi. This decision comes after the BJP's victory in the recent local elections, marking their return to power in the capital after nearly three decades. The party secured 48 out of 70 seats, ousting the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which managed to win only 22 seats. This win is a significant milestone for the BJP, as it has not held power in Delhi since 1998. Gupta, a 50-year-old former student leader, is no stranger to politics. She started her political journey at Delhi University in 1992 and has since been involved in various initiatives aimed at improving the lives of women and children. Her appointment is a rare occurrence, as women in top political positions are still uncommon in India. Currently, only one other woman, Mamata Banerjee of the All India Trinamool Congress party, holds the position of chief minister in West Bengal. Gupta's appointment comes with a set of challenges. Delhi faces severe issues with air and river pollution, as well as poor infrastructure. The BJP had promised to address these issues during their election campaign, pledging to revamp government schools, provide free health services, offer free electricity, and give a monthly stipend of over 2, 500 rupees ($29) to poor women in Delhi. It remains to be seen how Gupta will tackle these pressing issues. The BJP's victory in Delhi is a significant boost for the party, especially after their failure to secure a majority in the national election last year. They formed the government with coalition partners and have since gained ground by winning three state elections in northern Haryana and Delhi and western Maharashtra. The party's recent tax cuts on the salaried middle class, one of their key voting blocs, may have contributed to their victory. The AAP, on the other hand, faced a major setback when its founder and leader, Arvind Kejriwal, was arrested last year along with two other party officials. They were accused of receiving bribes from a liquor distributor, a charge they denied, claiming it was a political conspiracy. Kejriwal and the others were later released on bail by the Supreme Court, and Kejriwal stepped down as Delhi chief minister. The BJP's victory in Delhi is a testament to their growing influence in Indian politics. However, it also raises questions about the representation of women in politics. Despite a law mandating 33% female membership in legislatures by 2029, women currently hold only 14% of parliamentary seats in India, far below the global average of 26. 5%. Gupta's appointment is a step in the right direction, but there is still a long way to go.