After a 27-year exile from power in Delhi, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) made a grand comeback with a new Chief Minister. The party chose Rekha Gupta as the face of Delhi government, and handed over the capital’s leadership.
On February 20, 2025 Rekha Gupta, a senior BJP leader and MLA from the Shalimar Bagh constituency, stepped in as the ninth Chief Minister of Delhi. She is the fourth woman to hold this position, following in the footsteps of Sushma Swaraj, Sheila Dikshit, and Atishi Marlena.
Her journey from Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) to Delhi Legislative Assembly is testament to her unwavering dedication, strategic leadership, and commitment to public service.
Early Life and Education of Rekha Gupta
Born on July 19, 1974 in Julana town of Haryana, Rekha Gupta was raised in a middle class family of Baniya Community. From a very young age she has been surrounded by political discussions. Her family was highly influenced by the ideologies of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
She pursued her degree in Bachelors of Commerce from Daulat Ram College under Delhi University. Later she completed LLB from IMIRC College of Law Bhaina, Ghaziabad under Chaudhary Charan Singh University in 2022.
During her college years, Gupta got actively involved in student activism, and joined ABVP, the student wing of RSS. Though her leadership journey began after she became the President of the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) in 1996-1997.
Political Career before becoming the Chief Minister of Delhi
After a stupendous success in student politics, Rekha Gupta stepped into municipal politics. She served as a councilor in the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) from Uttari Pitampura in 2007 and re-elected in 2012. There she got recognition for her public service and community development efforts.
A three-time councilor and former mayor of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC), Rekha rose to prominence.
Rise to prominence in BJP
Rekha Gupta’s political career flourished as she held many key roles in BJP. She served as the General secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Delhi state unit. Also, Gupta is the National Vice President of the BJP Mahila Morcha, which deals with women empowerment and social issues.
After she won the Shalimar Bagh Assembly constituency, in the 2025 assembly elections her political career spiked. She defeated AAP’s Bandana Kumari with a margin of 29,595 votes, and appointed as the fourth woman Chief Minister of Delhi.
With this, Rekha Gupta has become an inspiration for women who aspire a career in politics. Her appointment as the Capital’s CM reflects BJP’s inclusion of women.
Personal Life of Rekha Gupta
Rekha Gupta, a lawyer by profession is married to a businessman Manish Gupta. Her husband has been a great supporter throughout her political career, who takes immense pride in his wife’s success.
Manish and Rekha are parents of two children, Harshita Gupta and Nikunj Gupta. Harshita, the elder daughter is following her father’s footsteps in business, far from politics. Younger Nikunj is pursuing his studies.
Rekha Gupta, the ninth Chief Minister of Delhi. Her journey from student activism to Chief Minister of Delhi is testament to her unwavering dedication.