Rekha Gupta, a former BJP student leader, becomes the first woman to lead New Delhi in nearly three decades. The appointment marks a significant shift in Indian politics, highlighting the growing presence of women in leadership roles.
India's ruling Hindu nationalist party, the Bharatiya Janata Party, appointed Rekha Gupta as the top government official in the state of New Delhi on Wednesday. This marks the first time in 27 years that the BJP has held power in Delhi. Gupta, a 50-year-old former party student leader, was named New Delhi chief minister, according to BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad.
She thanked the party and pledged to address the challenges ahead, including tackling air and river pollution and improving infrastructure in the Indian capital. Prior to the elections, the BJP promised to revamp government schools, provide free health services, free electricity, and a monthly stipend of over 2,500 rupees ($29) to poor women in Delhi.Gupta is the fourth female chief minister in Delhi, but women are still underrepresented in top political positions in India. The only other woman currently serving as a chief minister is Mamata Banerjee of the All India Trinamool Congress party in West Bengal. An Indian law mandating a 33% female membership in state legislatures is expected to be implemented by 2029. Currently, women hold around 14% of parliamentary seats in India, the highest proportion since independence but still significantly below the global average of 26.5%. Gupta, a former BJP general secretary, began her political career as a student leader at Delhi University in 1992. She is known for her work on women's and children's welfare, as well as support for impoverished female students.
INDIA DELHI BJP WOMEN IN POLITICS REKHA GUPTA CHIEF MINISTER BARATIHYA JANATA PARTY
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