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Delhi CM Candidate Announcement: Live Updates
Nearly two weeks after winning the Delhi Assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is expected to announce its Chief Minister (CM) candidate today. The suspense surrounding the new CM is set to end, as the BJP will hold a legislative meeting to finalize the name of the CM and the new cabinet ministers. The BJP emerged victorious in the Delhi elections nearly a fortnight ago, but the announcement was delayed due to various factors, including a stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station. The oath-taking ceremony for the new Delhi government is scheduled for noon tomorrow, February 20.
Swearing-in Ceremony at Ramlila Maidan
The oath-taking ceremony of the new Delhi CM and cabinet ministers will take place at the iconic Ramlila Maidan on Thursday, February 20. The event is expected to draw over 25,000 to 30,000 attendees, including prominent Hindu seers and local community leaders. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and several BJP MPs and top NDA leaders are anticipated to be present at the ceremony.
Who’s Likely to Be the Next CM?
According to party insiders, the new CM and Council of Ministers will likely be a mix of experience and youth, representing the city’s diverse caste and community groups. It’s expected that the new CM will be chosen from the pool of BJP’s elected MLAs rather than MPs. Among the leading contenders are Parvesh Sahib Singh, Vijender Gupta, Rekha Gupta, Ashish Sood, Satish Upadhyay, and Shikha Roy. The new cabinet will also aim to reflect Delhi’s social fabric, with representation from communities such as Punjabi, Baniya, Purvanchali, along with women, SC, OBC, and Brahmin groups.
BJP’s Legislative Meeting and Leadership Decisions
The final decision on the new Delhi CM will be made during the BJP legislature party meeting scheduled for 7 PM today. The party’s 48 newly elected MLAs will convene at the Delhi BJP office to choose their leader, who will become the CM. Preparations for the meeting are in full swing, and it is expected that the name of the CM will be finalized by the end of the session.
AAP Criticizes BJP Over CM Delay
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has taken a dig at the BJP for the delay in announcing the new CM. AAP leader Gopal Rai remarked that the BJP’s indecision could result in a repeat of the situation from the last BJP-led government, which saw three different CMs in five years. Caretaker Delhi CM Atishi also criticized the delay, alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had no faith in the newly elected BJP MLAs.
Other Developments
- Defamation Lawsuit: Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit has been directed by the Delhi High Court to re-file his defamation lawsuit against AAP leaders Atishi and Sanjay Singh after failing to pay the required court fees.
- Stone Pelting Incident: Delhi Police arrested six individuals, including three minors, for their involvement in a stone-pelting incident in Madanpur Khadar, Southeast Delhi.
- CM Twitter Handle Dispute: A controversy erupted between AAP and BJP over the official Twitter handle of Delhi’s CM. After the AAP’s defeat in the elections, the handle was changed to @KejriwalAtWork, sparking a debate over its restoration to @CMODelhi.
Final Preparations for Oath Ceremony
With the oath-taking ceremony scheduled for tomorrow at Ramlila Maidan, BJP leaders, including Vinod Tawde, Tarun Chugh, and Virendra Sachdeva, have inspected the venue’s preparations. The ceremony is expected to be grand, with a theme inspired by the consecration ceremony at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir.
BJP’s CM Choice Criteria
BJP’s selection of the new Delhi CM is likely to be influenced by factors such as caste, community representation, and regional balance within the National Capital Region (NCR). Sources indicate that the RSS will have an advisory role in this decision, ensuring the CM reflects Delhi’s diverse demographic makeup.
The Road Ahead
While the final announcement on the new Delhi CM is expected after today’s BJP legislature meeting, party insiders suggest the distribution of cabinet portfolios may take more time. Several factors, including Prime Minister Modi’s U.S. tour, and other national-level developments, have contributed to the delay in finalizing the leadership team.
As Delhi braces for the official swearing-in ceremony tomorrow, all eyes are on the BJP’s decision regarding the new Chief Minister, which is expected to chart the course for the next phase of Delhi’s governance.
Disclaimer: This is an AI-generated live blog and has not been edited by Localtak staff.
