The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has returned to power in Delhi after 27 years, is expected to select the city's next chief minister during a meeting of its elected MLAs on February 19. The newly appointed legislative party leader is likely to take the oath as chief minister on February 20 at Ramlila Maidan.
The BJP secured a decisive victory in the recent Delhi Assembly elections, winning 48 out of 70 seats and defeating the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). However, suspense remains over the chief ministerial candidate, as the party has yet to make an official announcement.
The swearing-in ceremony is expected to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, chief ministers from BJP-ruled states, NDA leaders, Union ministers, and other prominent figures.
Leading Contenders for the Chief Ministerial Post
Several names have emerged as potential candidates for the chief minister's office. Among them is Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma, who delivered a stunning upset by defeating AAP leader and incumbent Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the New Delhi constituency. The son of former Delhi Chief Minister Sahib Singh Verma, Parvesh Verma has been an influential figure in the BJP, previously serving as a Lok Sabha MP from West Delhi.
Vijender Gupta, a seasoned politician and former Delhi BJP president, is also seen as a strong contender. A three-time councillor from Rohini, Gupta secured his third consecutive Assembly win from the Rohini constituency, defeating AAP’s Pradeep Mittal by a significant margin.
Another name in circulation is Satish Upadhyay, a veteran BJP leader and former Delhi BJP president. Upadhyay played a crucial role in strengthening the party’s base in the capital. His victory in the Malviya Nagar constituency, where he defeated incumbent AAP MLA Somnath Bharti, was a major win for the BJP in an AAP stronghold.
Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva is also being considered for the role. Under his leadership, the party strategized its campaign, leading to a landslide victory in the Assembly elections. Sachdeva has emphasized that the final decision on the chief ministerial candidate rests with the central leadership.
Harish Khurana, son of former Delhi Chief Minister Madan Lal Khurana, made his electoral debut in 2025, winning from the Moti Nagar constituency. A prominent BJP spokesperson and strategist, Khurana’s strong political lineage and experience within the party make him a possible choice.
A Surprise Pick?
Amid growing speculation, many within the BJP believe that the party leadership might opt for a “dark horse” candidate, similar to its approach in states like Rajasthan, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh. Given the party’s recent electoral strategy, the selection of Delhi’s next chief minister could be an unexpected yet strategic move aimed at reinforcing its governance model in the capital.
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