Delhi’s new Chief Minister may take oath on February 20, these 6 names are leading in the race

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party is going to form the government in the capital after 27 years. According to sources, the swearing-in ceremony of the new Chief Minister in Delhi is likely to be held on February 20. According to sources associated with BJP, a day before this, a meeting of the BJP Legislature Party may be held on February 19. Although no place has been decided for the swearing-in ceremony, but it is likely that the event may be held at Ramlila Maidan.

Sources earlier said that the BJP has called a meeting of the Legislature Party on February 19. Earlier this meeting was called on February 17, although it was later postponed. The party will hold a meeting of its MLAs before deciding the name of the Chief Minister.

High-level discussions have been going on in Delhi for the last few days regarding the selection of the Chief Minister. Speculations are being made on many names including Pravesh Verma, Ashish Sood and Rekha Gupta, although the BJP leadership is still silent. The saffron party had announced that it would stake claim to form the government in Delhi after Prime Minister Narendra Modi returns from his US tour. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on a tour of France and the US from February 10 to 13.

Among the names in the Delhi CM race, Parvesh Verma is the frontrunner, who defeated AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal in the New Delhi seat. The name of Delhi BJP general secretary and Janakpuri MLA Ashish Sood is also being discussed, who is known for his close ties with central leaders. As a female face, Shalimar Bagh MLA Rekha Gupta is also being considered a contender for the post of Chief Minister. The name of Rohini MLA Vijender Gupta is also being discussed, who is among the most senior leaders of Delhi BJP and has been the Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly.

MLA from Malviya Nagar Satish Upadhyay is also in the race, who is a prominent Brahmin face of the party and has been the former state president. Jitendra Mahajan, who comes from the Vaishya community and is a strong representative of the RSS, is also among the top contenders for the post of Chief Minister. Party leaders have hinted at the possibility of the national leadership nominating a woman as the chief minister or choosing a completely new face. Shikha Roy, who won in Greater Kailash defeating AAP’s Saurabh Bhardwaj, is reportedly another prominent female face being considered.

According to sources, 15 MLAs have been shortlisted for key ministerial posts. Party sources have also informed that there is no possibility of a deputy chief minister in the new government. Party sources earlier said that a meeting is also likely to take place between Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP president JP Nadda and other top BJP leaders to finalise the matter. In the recently concluded Delhi Assembly elections, the BJP ousted the AAP from power by winning 48 out of 70 seats. The AAP, which ruled Delhi for more than 10 years, managed to win only 22 seats in the closely contested elections declared on February 8. At the same time, the BJP is going to form the government in Delhi for the first time since 1993.