Close to a year after the INDIA bloc’s mass rally at Ramlila Maidan, the BJP is preparing to turn the same venue into a show of strength for the NDA as it installs a new Chief Minister in Delhi. The swearing-in ceremony is expected to be a grand event, attended by top leaders, ministers, and special invitees, with thousands in attendance.
Grand Ceremony at Ramlila Maidan
The BJP is leaving no stone unturned in making the oath-taking event a spectacle. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and several Chief Ministers from NDA-ruled states are expected to attend. The invite list also includes central cabinet ministers and key Members of Parliament, underscoring the party’s attempt to project unity within the alliance.
Apart from political leaders, the gathering will feature Bollywood celebrities and religious figures. Sources suggest that the event’s theme may draw inspiration from the recent Ram Mandir consecration in Ayodhya, with the presence of prominent Hindu seers adding a spiritual touch.
A Nod to Delhi’s Slum Communities
The BJP’s leadership has made a strategic decision to include representatives from Delhi’s slum clusters among the special invitees. A senior party leader noted, “This is a way to acknowledge the role of citizens from JJ (jhuggi-jhopri) colonies who played a crucial role in bringing the party back to power after nearly three decades.” The move signals the BJP’s intent to consolidate its base among the urban poor, a demographic that has gained political significance in the Capital.
Over 25,000 to 30,000 attendees are expected at Ramlila Maidan, making this one of the biggest political gatherings in the city in recent years.
Who Will Be Delhi’s New CM?
While speculation is rife over who will take over as Delhi’s new Chief Minister, sources indicate that the party will make an official announcement on Wednesday. At least two senior leaders—potentially union ministers or chief ministers from BJP-ruled states—are expected to be appointed as observers to oversee the selection process.
The key decisions will be taken at a legislature party meeting scheduled for 7 PM, where the 48 BJP MLAs will elect their leader. Alongside the Chief Minister, six members of the council of ministers will be named, as well as other crucial posts such as the Speaker of the Delhi Assembly.
Incoming legislators from rural constituencies and those representing Scheduled Caste (SC)-reserved seats are believed to be frontrunners for cabinet positions. The BJP’s focus on these segments is part of its broader political calculus to strengthen its outreach beyond its traditional voter base.
BJP’s Return After Three Decades
This swearing-in marks a historic moment for the BJP in Delhi. The party has not held power in the city since 1998, when the Congress dominated the political landscape. More recently, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) emerged as a formidable force, governing the Capital for nearly a decade.
However, in a dramatic shift, the BJP secured a decisive victory in the recent Assembly elections, riding on issues such as governance, law and order, and its national leadership’s appeal. The upcoming ceremony is as much a celebration of this political comeback as it is about the formation of a new government.
All eyes are now on the BJP’s choice for Chief Minister and the composition of the new administration. The decisions made in the coming hours will set the tone for the party’s governance in Delhi, with potential implications for the broader national political landscape.
