The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to reveal the name of Delhi’s new Chief Minister today, ending weeks of speculation following its historic victory in the Assembly elections.
The announcement will be made during the party’s legislative meeting, where newly elected MLAs will finalise their choice for the top post. Even as the suspense continues, the BJP has already sent out invitations for the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for Thursday at Ramlila Maidan.
The BJP’s triumph in Delhi came after a gap of 27 years, marking the end of the Aam Aadmi Party’s decade-long rule. The party secured a landslide victory, winning 48 out of 70 seats, which paved the way for a change in leadership in the national capital.
The legislative party meeting will take place at the BJP’s Delhi unit office, where the chosen leader will later meet Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena to formally stake a claim to form the government.
The decision-making process involves the BJP’s Parliamentary Board, the highest authority in the party, which will appoint observers for today’s crucial meeting.
The selection of the Chief Minister has been delayed due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent foreign visits to France and the United States. With his return, the final decision is expected to be taken today at the party’s headquarters, where Modi is likely to be present.
Several names have emerged as potential candidates for the Chief Minister’s position. Among the frontrunners are Parvesh Verma, who secured a significant victory over former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the New Delhi constituency, and Vijender Gupta, a senior leader and former Leader of the Opposition in the Delhi Assembly. Other names under consideration include Rekha Gupta, Ashish Sood, Satish Upadhyay, and Jitender Mahajan.
As the party prepares for the transition, the BJP’s leadership has been actively working on the swearing-in ceremony arrangements.
A high-level meeting was recently held at the BJP’s Delhi office, attended by senior leaders such as Tarun Chugh, Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva, and the party’s seven MPs from the national capital. The discussion focused on ensuring a well-organised and grand ceremony for the new government’s formal induction.
Preparations at Ramlila Maidan are nearly complete, with arrangements made to accommodate dignitaries and prominent personalities. Three large stages have been constructed, with the main stage reserved for Prime Minister Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Lieutenant Governor Saxena.
Religious leaders will occupy the second stage, while BJP MPs and newly elected MLAs will be seated on the third stage. Special seating arrangements have also been made for film stars and other distinguished guests.
The swearing-in ceremony will commence at noon, with the Chief Minister-designate taking the oath at 12.35 pm, followed by the ministers at 12.45 pm. The event will conclude by 1 pm.
Following established protocol, invitations have been extended to AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal and caretaker Chief Minister Atishi, inviting them to witness the transition of power.
Security arrangements for the event are being closely monitored by Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora, who recently reviewed the venue’s security plan.
Special CPs for Law and Order and Traffic, along with senior officers from various districts, have been actively coordinating to ensure smooth proceedings.
While the BJP has invited Chief Ministers from states ruled by the party, some leaders, particularly from Gujarat, may not be able to attend due to ongoing budget sessions in their respective states. Despite this, the event is expected to be attended by top leaders and dignitaries from across the country.
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