Rekha Gupta will be sworn in as Delhi’s new chief minister today,  at noon in a ceremony at Ramlila Maidan, marking the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) return to power in the capital after 26 years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and chief ministers from BJP-ruled states are among the 50,000 attendees expected at the event.

Several prominent leaders were also considered for Delhi's top post alongside Rekha Gupta. The contenders included Parvesh Verma, who defeated AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, former Delhi BJP presidents Vijender Gupta and Satish Upadhyay, and leaders like Pawan Sharma, Ashish Sood, and Shikha Rai.

Gupta, 50, will be the fourth woman chief minister of Delhi, following Sushma Swaraj, Sheila Dikshit, and Atishi. She will also be the only woman CM currently representing a BJP-led state or coalition government, alongside West Bengal’s Mamata Banerjee.

Rekha Gupta to be Delhi’s next CM, BJP picks Parvesh Verma as deputy

After her selection as BJP’s legislative party leader, Gupta met Lt Governor Saxena on Wednesday to stake her claim to form the government. Saxena later invited her to take charge.“I am fully committed to taking Delhi to new heights. This trust and support from our leadership have given me new energy and inspiration,” Gupta said.

Gupta’s appointment came after 11 days of political manoeuvring following the BJP’s decisive victory in the February 5 Delhi Assembly elections, where the party secured 48 of the 70 seats, ending the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) decade-long rule. The Congress drew a blank.

The ceremony will begin at 11 am with guest arrivals. Gupta and her cabinet ministers will reach the venue by 12:10 pm, followed by Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, Amit Shah, and other dignitaries. Prime Minister Modi is expected by 12:25 pm. The national anthem will be played at 12:30 pm, and the swearing-in will commence at 12:31 pm.

Gupta’s cabinet will include BJP leaders Parvesh Verma, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Ravindra Kumar Indraj, Kapil Mishra, Ashish Sood, and Pankaj Kumar Singh, all of whom will take oath alongside her.

Delhi Police Traffic Advisory: Major roads closed for Rekha Gupta's CM oath-taking ceremony today — Check routes to avoid, diversion details

Over 25,000 security personnel and 15 companies of paramilitary forces have been deployed across the capital. Around 5,000 police and paramilitary personnel are stationed at Ramlila Maidan, with over 2,500 strategic points under surveillance.

AI-based facial recognition CCTV cameras are monitoring the venue, while snipers have been positioned on nearby high-rises. Commandos, quick reaction teams, PCR vans, and SWAT units are in place. Only authorised individuals will be permitted near the venue, with traffic diversions implemented for smooth movement.