By appointing Rekha Gupta, a first-time MLA, as the Chief Minister of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, the BJP leadership has adhered to a strategy established by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah nearly a decade ago. Their preference has been for relatively younger leaders in their 40s or 50s, individuals deeply committed to the party's ideology, with a strong organizational background and the ability to govern effectively for the long haul. Rekha Gupta presents herself as an approachable, warm personality, without an air of superiority despite the key positions she has held, including her current role as Chief Minister. Although she may not have been as widely recognized as some of her colleagues in the party or assembly, her political journey and leadership skills are well regarded. Having begun her career in student politics, she first gained recognition in 1995 when she was elected General Secretary of the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) as an Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) nominee, the student wing of the RSS. However, her path to success was not without setbacks—she faced defeats in the 2015 assembly election and the mayoral election, both against AAP candidates. Despite these challenges, she remained steadfast and continued to work diligently, serving as Chairperson of multiple committees in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Vice President of the BJP's National Mahila Morcha, and General Secretary of the party’s Delhi unit. Her perseverance paid off when she secured victory in the 2025 assembly election with a margin of nearly 30,000 votes—a significant achievement by Delhi's electoral standards. Rekha Gupta has been widely praised as a strong and uncontroversial choice for the role, which is rare in contemporary politics. She carries no political baggage despite her three-decade-long career, and her background as a woman and a member of the Vaishya community—both strong BJP support bases—adds to her appeal.Her leadership style appears to be one of composure and consensus-building, contrasting with the confrontational approach seen during the Aam Aadmi Party's rule under Arvind Kejriwal and Atishi. If Delhi voters were seeking a change, she is now the face of that transformation. Gupta has put together a well-rounded cabinet, including Pravesh Sahib Singh Verma, Ashish Sood, Majinder Singh Sirsa, Kapil Mishra, Ravindra Indraj Singh, and Pankaj Kumar Singh, each representing different regions and communities within Delhi. These individuals have already established themselves as capable leaders in their own right.The BJP’s vision for governance under the new administration was outlined by Prime Minister Modi during his speech at the party's national headquarters on March 8, following the election results. One of the most anticipated shifts is the resolution of the ongoing tensions between the Delhi Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister—a frequent issue during AAP’s decade in power. With the BJP now governing both the Centre and the capital, a more cooperative approach is expected to improve governance. Even before the new government officially took charge, initiatives such as the cleaning of the Yamuna River were already underway, with images of the efforts circulating widely. Additionally, work on repairing damaged roads has commenced in several parts of the city.As part of her initial actions, Rekha Gupta fulfilled a key promise made by PM Modi by ensuring that the first installment of ₹2,500 in monthly financial assistance reached eligible women by March 8, International Women’s Day.She now faces both a challenge and an opportunity—to leverage the support of the Modi government at the Centre to transform Delhi into a model city with improved sanitation, infrastructure, and governance. Disclaimer:This image is taken from PTI.

Rekha Gupta took oath as the Chief Minister of Delhi on Thursday, bringing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) back to power in the national capital after nearly three decades. The grand swearing-in ceremony at Ramlila Ground was attended by top political leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Gupta, a first-time MLA from Shalimar Bagh, made history as Delhi's fourth woman chief minister and the only female leader currently heading an NDA government. Alongside her, six ministers—Parvesh Verma, Ashish Sood, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Kapil Mishra, Ravinder Indraj Singh, and Pankaj Singh—were also sworn in by Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena. The event was a show of strength for the BJP, with several NDA chief ministers, including Maharashtra’s Devendra Fadnavis, Andhra Pradesh’s Chandrababu Naidu, and Goa’s Pramod Sawant, in attendance. Gupta’s Journey and Vision for Delhi: After taking the oath, Gupta expressed her gratitude, saying, "Thank you, Delhi," acknowledging the trust placed in her by the voters and the BJP leadership. Her rise to power has been fueled by years of grassroots work, having served as the president of the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) and a municipal councillor from North Pitampura. She has been a strong advocate for women’s welfare and community development within the BJP. The BJP’s victory marks the end of Arvind Kejriwal’s decade-long Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) rule in Delhi. Congress, too, faced a significant setback, failing to secure a single seat for the third consecutive election, reflecting a major shift in the city’s political landscape. Political figures across party lines welcomed Gupta’s appointment. BJP leaders, including MP Bansuri Swaraj and Union Minister Anupriya Patel, hailed her leadership, while Congress leader Alka Lamba extended her best wishes, stressing the need for prioritizing women’s safety in the capital. Parvesh Verma’s Commitment to a ‘Viksit Delhi’: Following the ceremony, Parvesh Verma, BJP MLA from New Delhi, thanked Delhiites for their overwhelming support in giving the party 48 out of 70 seats. He emphasized the BJP’s vision of transforming Delhi into "the most beautiful capital in the world" and credited PM Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP President JP Nadda for their leadership. "We will fulfill our promise of a ‘Viksit Delhi’ and implement every commitment made in our manifesto," Verma assured, highlighting the party’s focus on infrastructure, women’s safety, and urban development. With a new government in place, all eyes will be on Gupta and her team as they take on the challenges of governing Delhi and delivering on their promises. Disclaimer: This image is taken from X/@BJP4India

The BJP on Wednesday appointed former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and national secretary Om Prakash Dhankar as central observers for the election of its Delhi legislature party leader, who will be the next chief minister of the national capital. The legislature party is set to convene in the evening to select its leader amid growing anticipation over the BJP’s final choice. The decision to appoint Prasad and Dhankar as observers was taken by the party’s Parliamentary Board, which met earlier in the day at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence to deliberate on the matter. This marks a significant moment for the BJP as it returns to power in Delhi after nearly 27 years. The newly elected legislative team consists of a mix of first-time MLAs and experienced leaders, making the choice for the top post both crucial and competitive. The selected leader will meet Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena at Raj Niwas to formally stake a claim to form the new government. Meanwhile, preparations are in full swing for the swearing-in ceremony, scheduled to take place at Ramleela Ground on Thursday afternoon. The event is expected to witness a massive turnout of around 50,000 attendees, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his cabinet colleagues, and chief ministers from NDA-ruled states. The grand ceremony will mark the BJP’s return to governance in Delhi and is likely to showcase the party’s vision for the capital. In the recently concluded elections, the BJP secured a commanding victory by winning 48 out of the 70 assembly seats, paving the way for a significant political shift in Delhi’s governance. With the party now firmly in control, all eyes are on the leadership selection, which will determine the future course of action for the new government. Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.

Outgoing Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Friday accused the BJP of internal conflicts over ministerial portfolio allocation, claiming that its MLAs were engaged in a tussle for power instead of focusing on governance. She alleged that the party was more interested in securing key positions to control public funds rather than fulfilling the promises made to voters during the election campaign. Addressing a press conference, Atishi said that BJP leaders were making excuses to delay the implementation of their poll commitments. She claimed that sources within the party revealed plans to shift blame onto AAP for any failure to meet these promises. According to her, the BJP would argue that the Delhi government lacked financial resources due to the previous AAP administration’s policies. Countering this claim, Atishi pointed to AAP’s financial track record, stating that Delhi’s budget had grown significantly under the Kejriwal-led government—from ₹31,000 crore in 2014-15 to ₹77,000 crore in 2024-25. She also noted that the AAP government had successfully repaid debts inherited from the Congress administration, demonstrating responsible fiscal management. Atishi specifically demanded that the BJP fulfill its key electoral promise of providing ₹2,500 per month to women without any delay. She warned that the people of Delhi would hold the party accountable if it failed to deliver on its commitments. Despite its sweeping victory in the recently concluded Delhi Assembly elections—securing 48 out of 70 seats while AAP was reduced to 22—the BJP has yet to announce its chief minister and cabinet ministers. The delay, Atishi suggested, was due to internal disagreements within the party, raising concerns about governance and decision-making. As the BJP prepares to take charge, the pressure is mounting for the party to honor its commitments and prove that it can govern effectively, rather than being caught up in internal disputes over power and positions. Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI

Xi Jinping and Donald Trump’s political paths were deeply influenced by their experiences in the 1980s—particularly their interactions with Japan. By Andrew Liu. Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

Donald Trump reignited tensions over the Panama Canal by declaring, “China is operating the Panama Canal, and we didn’t give it to China—we gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back.” His remarks, made during his inauguration speech, alarmed many Panamanians, who view control of the canal as a settled matter. The U.S. handed over control of the canal in 1977, yet Trump now claims that Panama has “broken its promises” and suggests that Chinese influence has compromised its management. Andrew Roth, the Guardian’s global affairs correspondent, explains that for many Panamanians, the canal is a symbol of national sovereignty. Trump's assertion that it is both mismanaged and under Chinese control feels like an insult to their national pride. Beyond foreign policy concerns, Trump’s focus on the canal resonates with older U.S. voters who remember its transfer. Some speculate that Trump’s renewed interest may also be linked to an old dispute involving one of his failed hotel ventures in Panama. Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

The freezing weather moved the speeches indoors, but it didn’t deter Donald Trump from issuing a flurry of executive orders aimed at undoing much of his predecessor’s legacy. Jonathan Freedland discusses with US commentator Molly Jong-Fast how a near-declaration of war on an American ally, a pledge to "expand America’s territory," and a few emergency declarations set the tone for what the next four years might hold. Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

The Green Party achieved a historic milestone in the general election, securing four parliamentary seats for the first time. But with the pressing challenge of the climate crisis, how much can the party accomplish in parliament? The Guardian's John Harris interviews Carla Denyer, the Greens' co-leader and MP for Bristol Central, to discuss the party's next steps. Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.