New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Rekha Gupta was sworn in as Delhi's Chief Minister on Thursday, February 20, in a grand ceremony at the Ramlila Maidan. Gupta, a first-time MLA from Shalimar Bagh, became Delhi’s fourth woman chief minister.
Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena administered the oath to Gupta and her six cabinet ministers—Parvesh Verma, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Ravindra Kumar Indraj, Pankaj Kumar Singh, Kapil Mishra, and Ashish Sood.
Here's everything you need to know about CM Gupta's six-member council:
Parvesh Verma
(Photo Courtesy: ANI)
Parvesh Verma, now the Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, was inintially the frontrunner for the CM's position. He came in as the 'giant killer' after defeating former CM Arvind Kejriwal in the New Delhi constituency by a narrow margin of 4,089 votes.
Verma is the son of former Delhi Chief Minister Sahib Singh Verma and a two-time Member of Parliament (MP) from West Delhi (2014-2024). Known for his influence among Jats, Verma has been a controversial figure, particularly for his communal remarks. His inclusion in the ministerial notification further highlights his growing influence within the political sphere.
Manjinder Singh Sirsa
(Photo Courtesy: ANI)
BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa reclaimed the Rajouri Garden seat with 64,132 votes, defeating AAP's Dhanwati Chandela by over 18,000 votes. Having won the 2017 by-election but lost in 2020, he has now staged a strong comeback.
A former Shiromani Akali Dal leader, the 58-year-old is now BJP's National Secretary and a key link to Delhi's Sikh community. As president of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, he remains an influential figure and a vocal critic of AAP and Arvind Kejriwal.
Kapil Mishra
(Photo Courtesy: ANI)
Kapil Mishra, a controversial figure in Delhi politics, secured a decisive victory in Karawal Nagar, defeating AAP's Manoj Kumar Tyagi by over 23,000 votes. Once a minister in the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government, Mishra was expelled from the AAP after accusing party leaders of corruption.
He later joined the BJP and has since become a key figure in the party's Delhi unit. Despite facing criticism for his communal and incendiary remarks during the 2020 Delhi riots, Mishra remains an influential leader, solidifying his position in the capital's political landscape. The 44-year-old politician is also the youngest in the Cabinet.
Ashish Sood
(Photo Courtesy: X/@reach2msingh)
A key leader in Delhi BJP, Ashish Sood was a strong contender for the Chief Ministerial post. He won Janakpuri, defeating AAP's Parveen Kumar by nearly 18,800 votes.
The 59-year-old, representing the Punjabi community, has held key roles, including Leader of the House in South Delhi Municipal Corporation. He rose from the ranks of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) to become BJP’s in-charge for Goa and co-incharge for Jammu and Kashmir, making him deeply familiar with Delhi BJP’s workings.
Ravinder Indraj Singh
(Photo Courtesy: ANI)
Ravinder Indraj Singh is a prominent Dalit leader in the BJP and son of former MLA Indraj Singh. Securing a decisive victory from the Bawana constituency, he defeated AAP's Jai Bhagwan Upkar by over 31,000 votes.
A dedicated advocate for Dalit rights, the 51-year-old has played an active role in BJP’s SC Morcha, serving on its national executive. Known for his commitment to uplift the marginalized communities in Delhi, Singh's political journey underscores his growing influence within the party and the broader Dalit electorate.
Pankaj Kumar Singh
(Photo Courtesy: ANI)
Pankaj Kumar Singh, a dentist by profession, represents the upper-caste Thakurs and Poorvanchalis. Son of former MCD leader Raja Mohan Singh, the 49-year-old has a strong background in Delhi’s governance.
Singh has previously served as a ward councillor and held key positions withing the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). Making his electoral debut in the Vikaspuri constituency, he secured a significant victory over AAP’s Mahinder Yadav by a margin of approximately 13,000 votes, marking a strong entry into state politics.
