The BJP has secured a clear majority in the Delhi elections. As exit polls started becoming reality, discussions within the party about the next Chief Minister gained momentum. This question is crucial because BJP fought the election without a declared CM face.
Will the party surprise everyone with a new face, or will it stick to experienced leaders? One of the top contenders, Dalit leader Dushyant Gautam, lost his election. This puts former CM Sahib Singh Verma’s son, Parvesh Verma, and senior BJP leader Vijender Gupta in the spotlight. However, a Dalit leader could still be in the running.
Selecting Delhi’s next CM won’t be an easy task for BJP, as multiple strong leaders are in contention. BJP leaders have maintained that the final decision will be taken by the party high command. Here are the eight most talked-about names in the race:
1. Parvesh Verma
Parvesh Verma, son of former Delhi CM Sahib Singh Verma, has emerged as a frontrunner. His victory over AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal in the New Delhi constituency was the biggest upset of the election. His Jat background further strengthens his claim to the CM post. As soon as results were announced, reports suggested that Parvesh Verma met Home Minister Amit Shah, fueling speculation about his potential elevation.
2. Dushyant Gautam
A senior BJP leader and a strong Dalit face, Dushyant Gautam was considered a top choice for CM. He contested from the reserved Karol Bagh seat against AAP’s Vishesh Ravi but lost by 7,000 votes. Despite this, he remains a key contender due to his experience as a Rajya Sabha MP and national secretary of the BJP.
3. Vijender Gupta
Vijender Gupta has once again won from the Rohini constituency. He was one of the few BJP leaders who survived AAP’s dominance in the 2015 and 2020 elections. A former Delhi BJP president and ex-Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, his experience makes him a strong candidate for CM.
4. If BJP Picks a Woman CM
If the BJP high command decides to go with a woman leader, two names stand out—Rekha Gupta and Shikha Rai. Rekha, a former MCD councilor and ex-president of Delhi University Students’ Union, contested from Shalimar Bagh. Shikha Rai, on the other hand, fought from Greater Kailash against AAP’s Saurabh Bharadwaj.
5. If BJP Opts for a Sikh CM
A key Sikh leader in BJP, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, is also in the race. He has won the Rajouri Garden seat multiple times and was once elected on an Akali Dal ticket. A former president of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, he has played a vital role in strengthening BJP’s appeal among Sikh voters.
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6. Ravinder Singh Negi
Negi, who has won from the Patparganj seat, is seen as a close associate of PM Narendra Modi. In the previous election, he lost by a narrow margin to AAP’s Manish Sisodia. His victory this time makes him a strong contender, especially given his connection with the Uttarakhand community and BJP’s focus on regional representation.
7. If BJP Brings in a Fresh Face
Kapil Mishra, a former AAP leader turned vocal BJP member, is also being considered. Once a minister in Kejriwal’s cabinet, he later switched sides and is now a prominent Hindutva voice within the BJP. Having won from Karawal Nagar, his aggressive stance against AAP and strong social media presence make him a potential surprise pick for CM.
8. Another Option – Kailash Gahlot
A former AAP minister, Kailash Gahlot, has won from Bijwasan. He was a cabinet minister in Kejriwal’s government and later joined BJP. His administrative experience and ability to manage different political equations make him another name in the mix.
Final Decision Rests with BJP High Command
Now, the big question is—what will BJP prioritize while selecting its CM? Will it focus on experience, Hindutva appeal, RSS connections, fresh leadership, or representation of women and Dalits? The answer will be revealed soon.