The suspense over Delhi’s new Chief Minister continues, even ten days after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the 2025 Delhi Assembly Elections. BJP MLAs will meet on Tuesday to choose the new CM. According to PTI sources, the new Chief Minister will take the oath on February 20 at 4:30 pm.
BJP President JP Nadda clarified that the new CM will be chosen from among the elected MLAs, with the names of cabinet ministers likely to be announced during the meeting.
BJP’s triumphant return to power after 26 years, securing 48 seats with a 71% strike rate, sets the stage for a grand swearing-in ceremony. The event could see over 1 lakh attendees, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, senior party leaders, and Chief Ministers from 21 BJP and NDA-ruled states.
Following the Delhi Assembly elections, BJP or NDA now governs in 21 out of 28 states and 3 union territories, a return to the party’s 2018 position. AAP’s seat count dropped to 22, and Congress failed to win any seats for the third consecutive election.
BJP has shortlisted six potential CM candidates, including Jitendra Mahajan and Ravindra Singh, with 9 names under consideration. The party may select one MLA from each of Delhi’s seven Lok Sabha seats, taking caste dynamics into account. The new cabinet is expected to include a maximum of 7 ministers, including the CM.
6 BJP leaders emerge as top contenders for Delhi’s CM post
The race for Delhi’s new Chief Minister (CM) has intensified, with six prominent BJP leaders emerging as potential candidates. These contenders bring varied backgrounds and experiences to the table, signaling a strategic approach by the party as it prepares to form the government in Delhi.
- Ravindra Indraj Singh: A first-time MLA from the Punjabi Dalit community, Ravindra’s selection could help BJP reach out to Dalits, a crucial vote bank the party has struggled to secure. His appointment would be significant as there is currently no Dalit CM in any state.
- Shikha Rai: A second-time municipal councilor and lawyer, Shikha’s victory over AAP’s senior leader Saurabh Bharadwaj in Greater Kailash-1 ward positions her as a possible female CM candidate. BJP could use her candidacy to address criticism over its lack of female representation in leadership roles.
- Pravesh Verma: Son of former CM Sahib Singh Verma, Pravesh defeated Arvind Kejriwal in the New Delhi seat. A prominent Jat leader, his appointment could help BJP appease non-Jat chief ministers in Haryana and address issues arising from the farmers’ movement.
- Vijender Gupta: A third-time MLA from Rohini, Vijender has strong organizational ties with both the BJP and RSS. His leadership and prominence in Delhi BJP make him a frontrunner for the CM position.
- Rajkumar Bhatia: Vice president of Delhi BJP, Rajkumar played a key role in BJP’s successful slum campaign. His deep connections with RSS and ABVP strengthen his profile as a potential CM candidate.
- Jitendra Mahajan: A third-time MLA, Jitendra is known for his simple lifestyle and strong ties to RSS. His consistent performance in elections makes him a key contender for the CM post
