
LIVE: Delhi Cabinet portfolios: Rekha Gupta gets Finance; Ashish Sood gets Home
Pravesh Verma gets Public Works Department (PWD) and Irrigation and Flood Control Department
BJP's debutant legislator Rekha Gupta was sworn in as Delhi chief minister on Thursday (February 20) in a grand show of strength that marks the party's return to power in the city after more than 26 years.
The ceremony at the historic Ramlila Ground was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the top BJP brass and NDA chief ministers. Gupta is Delhi’s fourth woman chief minister. The 50-year-old MLA from Shalimar Bagh is also the only woman in the NDA team of chief ministers.
Gupta, 50, was chosen as Leader of the House in the newly constituted 8th Delhi Assembly, in a meeting of the BJP legislature party on Wednesday.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena invited Gupta to form the new government after she staked claim for it late Wednesday evening at Raj Niwas. She will become the ninth Chief Minister of Delhi after the administration of oath by the LG.
The six ministers who will be sworn in to Gupta’s cabinet are Parvesh Verma who defeated AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal from the New Delhi seat, Ashish Sood, Pankaj Singh, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Kapil Mishra and Ravinder Indraj.
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Live Updates
- 19 Feb 2025 11:26 AM GMT
Delhi Police traffic advisory for Feb 20
As a large gathering, including several VVIPs and VIPs, is expected at the venue, 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 the roundabout at Jhandewalan, it said.
Traffic diversions and restrictions may be imposed on the BSZ Marg (ITO to Delhi Gate), JLN Marg (Delhi Gate to Guru Nanak Chowk), Aruna Asif Ali Road, Minto Road, Kamla Market to Hamdard Chowk, Ranjeet Singh Flyover to Turkman Gate, and Ajmeri Gate to Kamla Market and nearby areas from 7 am to 4 pm on Thursday.
“Use the Paharganj side to reach New Delhi Railway Station and avoid the Ajmeri Gate side,” the advisory said.
Police urged commuters to use public transport to help reduce congestion and park their vehicles only at designated spots to ensure smooth flow of traffic, it said.
“If any unusual or suspicious objects or individuals are noticed, please inform the police immediately,” it said.
- 19 Feb 2025 11:24 AM GMT
Over 25,000 security personnel to be deployed
More than 25,000 security personnel will be deployed in the central, north, and New Delhi areas of the city for the oath-taking ceremony of the new chief minister at the Ramlila Maidan on Thursday (February 20), an official said.
The ceremony is expected to take place at around 12 pm at the sprawling ground in the heart of the national capital. It is likely to be attended by top BJP leaders, including chief ministers from party-ruled states.
"More than 25,000 police personnel and over 15 companies of paramilitary forces will keep a strict vigil," said the officer on Wednesday, asserting that “robust” security arrangements will be in place to maintain law and order situation.
"According to the security plan, more than 5,000 police personnel, along with paramilitary will be deployed in and around the Ramlila Maidan. We have identified more than 2,500 strategic points where heavy deployment will be ensured," he added. Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Ravindra Yadav told PTI Videos that the Delhi Police has been preparing for the event for the last two days.
He said managing traffic and parking around the venue would be challenging due to the high number of vehicles expected to reach there.
"Delhi Commissioner of Police Sanjay Arora visited the venue this morning. He personally reviewed the preparations. We are sure that we will manage the event smoothly," said the Special CP Yadav.
Another senior officer said the Delhi Police is in touch with other security forces.
"Only authorised people will be allowed near the venue. We have also chalked out a traffic plan," he said.
Police said along with other emergency response teams, there will be multiple layers of barricades to ensure the safety and security of the dignitaries.
According to police, commandos, quick reaction teams, PCR vans, anti-sabotage checks, and SWAT teams will be deployed at strategic locations while snipers will be positioned at high-rise buildings nearby. Every nook and cranny will be monitored through AI-based facial recognition CCTV cameras.
First-aid kiosks and other facilities will also be set up at the venue, they said. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police has issued an advisory regarding the traffic diversions and restrictions around the Ramlila Maidan.
- 19 Feb 2025 10:47 AM GMT
Woman chief minister?
News reports suggest that the BJP is considering selecting the new chief minister from among its newly-elected MLAs. It is said that the party is also thinking of choosing a woman to be the chief minister.