After securing a landslide victory in the Delhi Assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is abuzz with speculation over who will be the next chief minister. With 48 out of 70 seats, the party has ended its 26-year-long wait to reclaim power in the capital, reducing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to just 22 seats.

A Woman CM on the Cards?

Reports suggest that the BJP may opt for a woman leader this time, picking from its newly elected MLAs. Additionally, there is a possibility of appointing a deputy chief minister from a socially representative background, ensuring inclusive leadership. The new cabinet is also expected to include a diverse mix of women and Dalit leaders.

Probable Women Contenders

Several strong women leaders are being considered for the top post:

Rekha Gupta (Shalimar Bagh MLA): The national vice president of the BJP’s women’s wing, Gupta secured a convincing victory with a margin of 29,595 votes.
Shikha Roy (Greater Kailash MLA): Defeated AAP’s Saurabh Bharadwaj in a crucial contest, making her a strong candidate.
Poonam Sharma (Wazirpur MLA): Won her seat by 11,425 votes, adding to her credibility.
Neelam Pehalwan (Najafgarh MLA): Secured an impressive victory with 1,01,708 votes.
Smriti Irani: The former Union minister, despite her loss in Amethi in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, remains a formidable political figure.
Bansuri Swaraj: Daughter of late Sushma Swaraj, recently won from the New Delhi Lok Sabha seat and is considered a rising star in BJP politics.

If a woman is appointed, she would join the ranks of Delhi’s few female chief ministers, including Sushma Swaraj (BJP), Sheila Dikshit (Congress), and Atishi (AAP).

When Will the Decision Be Made?

Sources indicate that the swearing-in ceremony is likely to take place after Prime Minister Narendra Modi returns from his US visit. The BJP is planning a grand event to mark its return to power, with chief ministers from all NDA-ruled states expected to attend.

Other Potential CM Candidates

Apart from women leaders, several other prominent BJP members are reportedly under consideration:

Vijender Gupta (Rohini MLA)
Ajay Mahawar (Ghonda MLA)
Abhay Verma (Laxmi Nagar MLA)
Kapil Mishra: Former AAP minister who switched to BJP, now being seen as a strong contender.
Parvesh Verma: Gained national attention by defeating Arvind Kejriwal in New Delhi.

Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva emphasized that the final decision will rest with the party’s top leadership. Given Delhi’s unique governance challenges and its proximity to BJP-ruled Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, the next chief minister will need to focus on key issues such as infrastructure, transport, and water supply.

With all eyes on the BJP’s final decision, Delhi awaits its new leader.