Race for Delhi’s Next Chief Minister Intensifies as BJP Gears Up to Form Government

BJP Set to Form Government in Delhi After 27 Years

The race for Delhi’s next Chief Minister has intensified following the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) landslide victory in the Delhi Assembly elections. After securing 48 out of 70 seats, the BJP is poised to return to power in the national capital after 27 years, reducing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to just 22 seats, while the Congress failed to secure even a single seat for the third consecutive time.

With the BJP awaiting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s return from his foreign visit before finalizing the leadership, party leaders have already initiated discussions with Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor V. Kumar Saxena to move forward with government formation.

Top Contenders for Delhi CM Post

As anticipation builds, several senior BJP leaders are being considered for the Chief Minister’s post. The frontrunners include:

1. P.S. Verma

• Son of former Delhi CM Sahib Singh Verma
• Won against Arvind Kejriwal, AAP’s convenor and three-time Chief Minister
• Considered a strong candidate with deep party roots

2. Virendra Gupta

• BJP’s opposition leader in the Delhi Legislative Assembly
• Former Delhi BJP Chief
• Known for his administrative experience and party loyalty

3. Virendra Sachdeva

• Current Delhi BJP president
• Took charge on March 23, 2023
• Has strong organizational backing within the BJP

4. Bansuri Swaraj

• Daughter of late BJP leader Sushma Swaraj
• First-time MLA
• Represents the Brahmin community, an influential voter base

5. Manoj Tiwari

• BJP Member of Parliament
• Did not contest the assembly elections but remains a strong contender
• Popular among the Purvanchali community, a key voter base in Delhi

6. Rekha Gupta

• Won from Shalimar Bagh constituency
• Represents the Baniya community, an influential segment in Delhi politics

BJP’s Strategic Approach in CM Selection

The BJP leadership is known for making surprise choices when appointing Chief Ministers, as seen in Haryana (Nayab Saini), Odisha (Mohancharan Majhi), and Chhattisgarh (Vishnu Deo Sai). The party’s decision-making process involves balancing caste equations, gender representation, community outreach, and experience.

With seven BJP MPs from Delhi and several high-profile assembly winners in the mix, the final decision is expected to reflect the party’s long-term strategy for the capital city.

What’s Next?

• BJP leaders are expected to meet with the Lieutenant Governor soon to initiate the government formation process.
• The final decision on the Chief Minister will likely be made after PM Modi’s return.
• A formal swearing-in ceremony is anticipated in the coming weeks.

As Delhi awaits its new leadership, all eyes remain on the BJP’s top brass and their final choice for the next Chief Minister. Stay tuned for more updates!