Gupta, 50, was chosen over several senior party leaders, signaling BJP’s emphasis on women’s empowerment. Her elevation is expected to bolster the party’s appeal among female voters. In her address after being elected as the leader of the BJP legislature party, Gupta expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the party leadership, and the people of Delhi. She called her appointment a moment of honor for the women of the country and vowed to dedicate herself to fulfilling her responsibilities.
Born in Nandgarh village in Haryana’s Jind district, Gupta moved to Delhi with her family at the age of two. Her father worked for the State Bank of India. She pursued her education at Delhi University, earning degrees in commerce, management, and arts. She later completed a Bachelor of Laws degree from a college in Ghaziabad.
Gupta’s political journey began with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the RSS, during her college years at Daulat Ram College. She was elected as the president of the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) in 1996-97, focusing on student welfare and youth empowerment. Her active involvement in student politics paved the way for her entry into mainstream politics.
She formally joined the BJP in 2002 and quickly rose through the ranks. She served as the secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha’s Delhi unit before being promoted to national secretary. Over the years, she has held several key positions, including general secretary of the BJP Mahila Morcha in Delhi and national vice-chairperson of the BJP Mahila Morcha.
Gupta entered electoral politics in 2007, winning the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) elections from the North Pitampura ward. She was re-elected in 2012 and served in prominent MCD committees, including as vice-chairperson of the standing committee. In 2022, she contested the MCD polls again and won from Shalimar Bagh. She was also the BJP’s mayoral candidate against AAP’s Shelly Oberoi but lost the contest.
Her perseverance paid off in the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, where she defeated AAP’s Bandana Kumari from Shalimar Bagh by a margin of 29,595 votes, securing her position as an MLA. Her rise from student politics to municipal governance and now as Chief Minister reflects her deep-rooted political experience.
Gupta’s appointment was met with celebrations among BJP supporters. Slogans like “Sabko dekha, aa gayi Rekha” and “Jai Shri Ram” echoed outside her residence in Shalimar Bagh. Her husband, Manish Gupta, a businessman, expressed his excitement and pledged his support for her new role. Her mother-in-law, Meera Gupta, shared sweets with well-wishers, stating her confidence that Gupta would succeed where AAP had faltered.
As Chief Minister, Gupta faces the challenge of addressing Delhi’s governance issues and implementing the BJP’s election promises. With her extensive experience in municipal administration and party leadership, she is expected to adopt a hands-on approach to tackle the capital’s pressing concerns. Her tenure will be closely watched as she takes on the responsibility of leading the national capital in a politically dynamic environment.
Gupta is married with two children. Her daughter is pursuing post-graduation in Australia, while her son is completing his engineering degree in Vellore, Tamil Nadu. As she takes charge of Delhi’s administration, her leadership will be crucial in shaping the future of the city and the BJP’s political prospects in the capital.
