Delhi CM Candidate Announcement Highlights: Rekha Gupta meets LG, stakes claim to form govt in Delhi

"Delhi is going to get a new CM. Soon, the name will be announced. Whoever becomes the CM will work for the people of Delhi under PM Modi's vision and will fulfil the dreams of the people here. People will remember the BJP CM's face," BJP MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat tells ANI.

"For us, the most important thing is that our govt is forming after 27 years...48 candidates are there for CM post," BJP MLA-elect Raj Kumar Bhatia tells news agency ANI ahead of the Delhi BJP legislative party meeting.

"Today, a double-engine government is going to be formed under the leadership of the BJP...After the formation of the government, Delhi will be free from pollution, and we will see a pace of development," BJP leader Ashok Goyal tells news agency ANI.

"There is excitement about victory. This is a preparation to become Viksit Delhi of Viksit Bharat," says Vice Chairman of NDMC and BJP leader Kuljeet Singh Chahal.

"A double-engine government is going to be formed in Delhi, and soon, the government will start working. The name of the CM will be announced soon. PM Modi has selected the face for the post. Soon, everybody will know who the CM will be," Harish Khurana, BJP-winning candidate from Moti Nagar Vidhan Sabha tells ANI.

Delhi Police has issued an advisory regarding the traffic diversion and restrictions for the oath ceremony of the new chief minister of the national capital at Ramleela Ground. The ceremony will take place on Thursday, the advisory said.

According to the advisory, many VVIPs/VIPs will attend the oath ceremony at Ram Leela Ground. A large gathering is also expected.

To manage the traffic during this event, certain diversions and restrictions will be in place, the advisory said.

The traffic will be diverted from Subhash Park T-Point, Raj Ghat, Delhi Gate, ITO, Ajmeri Gate, Ranjeet Singh Flyover, Bhabhuti Marg - DDU Marg Red Light, and round about Jhandewalan, it stated.

Traffic regulation, diversion and restrictions may be imposed on BSZ Marg (ITO to Delhi Gate), JLN Marg (Delhi Gate to Guru Nanak Chowk), Aruna Asif Ali Road, Minto Road to round about Kamla Market to Hamdard Chowk, Ranjeet Singh Flyover to Turkman Gate, and Ajmeri Gate to round about Kamla Market and surrounding areas from 7 am to 4 pm on Thursday.

The commuters are instructed to use public transport to help reduce congestion. Park vehicles only in designated parking areas. Avoid roadside parking to ensure smooth traffic flow, it said.

If any unusual or suspicious objects or individuals are noticed, please inform the police immediately. Use the Paharganj side road for New Delhi Railway Station and avoid the Ajmeri Gate side, the advisory added. (PTI)

Senior Delhi BJP leaders on Tuesday inspected preparations at the Ramlila Ground here, and said a "historic and grand" oath-taking ceremony will take place at the venue to inaugurate the city's first BJP chief minister in more than 25 years. After inspecting the ground along with Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva, BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh said lieutenant governor V K Saxena is overseeing the preparations and people from across the city have expressed desire to be at the event, likely on Thursday.

Chugh told reporters the people of Delhi have blessed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is "trusted by all citizens from Kashmir to Kanyakumari". (PTI)

Ahead of the swearing in ceremony of the new Chief Minister of Delhi, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Tarun Chugh said that BJP was working to fulfill the wishes of the people.

He further said that the party had been receiving calls from people to be a part of the event and stated that the people of Delhi had blessed the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"A historic event will take place at Delhi's Ramlila Ground on February 20...Every person in Delhi is excited. People are contacting us and saying that they want to be a part of this historic event. BJP is working to fulfil the wishes of the people of Delhi... the people of Delhi have blessed the PM..." Chugh said speaking to ANI.

"This is a suspense. The legislative party will take the decision, which will be approved by the party's parliamentary board....There is no formula," said BJP National General Secretary Dushyant Gautam on Delhi CM face.

"At 7 pm today, the party's two central observers (for electing the Leader of Delhi Legislature Party) will come, and they will announce the name of the CM," said Virendraa Sachdeva.

"The PM, CMs of some states, the party's central leadership, auto-rickshaw drivers, labourers and a few known people from civil society will attend the oath ceremony tomorrow," he adds. (ANI)

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and former deputy chief minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia, on Wednesday sharply criticised the delay in the BJP's decision to select its chief ministerial (CM) candidate for Delhi.

Speaking to the media, Sisodia expressed shock over the prolonged uncertainty surrounding the BJP’s choice, labeling the situation as “strange.”

“It is strange that so many days have passed, and they (BJP) are yet to pick a leader (CM face). Whether they trust their MLAs or not… the delay in making such a crucial decision is baffling,” Sisodia told news agency PTI.

BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh reviews the ongoing final preparations for the oath ceremony of the new chief minister of Delhi, scheduled to take place at Ramlila Ground tomorrow, 20th February.

Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal on Wednesday wrote to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal, urging him to appoint an MLA from the Dalit community as the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Delhi assembly. She said that this move would be a step towards fulfilling AAP’s commitment to social justice.

Maliwal, in her letter, reminded Kejriwal of his 2022 Punjab election promise to appoint a Dalit deputy chief minister, a pledge that remains unfulfilled. “Three years ago, Kejriwal had promised in Punjab that he will make a Dalit deputy chief minister but that promise has not been fulfilled till date. I hope this time he will pay true tribute to respected Babasaheb Ambedkar by making a Dalit MLA from Delhi the LoP,” Maliwal posted on X while sharing a screenshot of her letter.

Ahead of the swearing-in of Delhi’s new chief minister, BJP leader Tarun Chugh stated that the party was committed to fulfilling the aspirations of the people. He highlighted the overwhelming public enthusiasm for the oath-taking ceremony at Ramlila Maidan on February 20.

“A historic event will take place… Every person in Delhi is excited. People are reaching out, expressing their desire to be part of this moment. The people of Delhi have blessed PM Modi,” Chugh told ANI.

Meanwhile, opposition AAP criticised the BJP for not announcing its CM pick yet. AAP leader Gopal Rai likened the situation to a wedding without a groom, suggesting either indecision or a hidden political strategy.

Preparations are in full swing at Ramlila Maidan, with BJP leaders Tarun Chugh and Vinod Tawde overseeing arrangements. The party’s newly elected MLAs will meet on February 19 to choose the legislative leader, who will take oath as CM the next day.

The swearing-in ceremony is expected to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief ministers, and other NDA leaders.

The BJP secured a decisive win in the Delhi assembly elections, claiming 48 out of 70 seats, while AAP managed 22. Congress failed to win any seats for the third consecutive election.

With the BJP legislature party meeting scheduled for Wednesday, party leaders expressed confidence in the leadership’s decision on Delhi’s next chief minister. The meeting will finalise the CM and cabinet ministers, ahead of the swearing-in at Ramlila Maidan on February 20 at 4:30 PM.

Senior BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, chief ministers from BJP-ruled states, and other prominent figures, are expected to attend the event.

BJP MLA-elect Mohan Singh Bisht stated that the party would decide the CM’s face, adding, “If I am chosen, I will take stock of what needs to be done.” Meanwhile, BJP MLA Rekha Gupta called the ceremony a historic moment, saying, “Delhi will witness the oath-taking of ‘Ram Rajya’ after 27 years.”

Hitting back at AAP's criticism over the delayed CM announcement, BJP MP Yogender Chandolia dismissed the ‘mandap’ remark by AAP leader Gopal Rai, who had compared the situation to a wedding without a groom. “They should focus on picking their Leader of Opposition instead,” Chandolia said.

Rai had earlier questioned BJP’s decision-making process, suggesting the party was either struggling to finalise a candidate or hiding a larger political move.

Preparations are in full swing at the Delhi BJP office ahead of the swearing-in ceremony for the new government on February 20. The BJP secured a landslide victory in the assembly elections, marking its return to power in the national capital after nearly three decades.

Over 5,000 security personnel and more than 10 paramilitary companies will be stationed at Ramlila Maidan to maintain law and order during the oath-taking ceremony for Delhi’s new chief minister, officials said. Scheduled for February 20 at 4:30 pm, the event will witness the swearing-in of the chief minister and the council of ministers. Senior BJP leaders, including chief ministers from party-ruled states, are expected to be present. Authorities have also put traffic management measures in place to ensure smooth movement in the area.