Rekha Gupta took charge as Delhi’s Chief Minister in February 2025, becoming the fourth woman to hold the position. Her appointment followed the Bharatiya Janata Party’s victory in the assembly polls, where she contested and won from the Shalimar Bagh constituency by nearly 30,000 votes.
Born in Haryana in 1974 and raised in Delhi, Gupta studied commerce at Daulat Ram College, part of the University of Delhi, before completing a law degree from Chaudhary Charan Singh University in Meerut. Her political career began in the early 1990s with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, the student wing of the BJP. She went on to serve as Secretary of the Delhi University Students’ Union (1995–96) and later as its President (1996–97).
Gupta entered civic politics in 2007, when she was elected as a councillor from North Pitampura. She was re-elected in 2012 and went on to serve in key roles, including as Mayor of South Delhi Municipal Corporation and chairperson of the Women and Child Development Committee. Within the BJP, she held positions such as General Secretary of the Delhi unit and Vice President of the party’s national women’s wing.
As Chief Minister, Gupta has announced a series of initiatives. In June 2025, her government launched Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and Jan Aushadhi Kendras, which are positioned as replacements for the previous mohalla clinics. In August, the Delhi Assembly held its first fully paperless session under her leadership. Her government also secured central funding of over ₹800 crore for infrastructure and public service projects.
Rekha Gupta’s elevation reflects both her long presence in Delhi politics and her party’s renewed strength in the capital.
Delhi High Court grants interim relief to Chief Minister Rekha Gupta in defamation case concerning AI-generated videos. The court ordered removal of offensive content.
A building collapsed in Old Delhi's bustling Chawri Bazar during the festive shopping season, leaving two people dead and others injured. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta confirmed that an FIR has been registered against the contractor and ordered the immediate suspension of a junior engineer and an assistant engineer from the municipal corporation. The Chief Minister stressed that ignoring safety and security while constructing structures proves fatal to human life, adding that any official overlooking negligence will not be spared. Rescuers faced severe operational challenges navigating the narrow bylanes of Old Delhi, forcing emergency teams to clear heavy debris by hand without heavy machinery. The tragedy comes roughly two months after a similar building collapse in Satyaniketan, raising questions over municipal oversight and accountability regarding unauthorised construction work across the national capital.
A building collapse in Old Delhi's Chawri Bazar left two dead and one person injured, prompting immediate administrative action. The Municipal Corporation suspended a junior engineer and an assistant engineer responsible for the area's building oversight, while an FIR was registered against the contractor overseeing the site. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited the spot, cautioning that ignoring safety protocols during construction poses a fatal risk and warning that officials overlooking negligence will face strict repercussions.
A political war of optics has erupted between the India bloc and the Bharatiya Janata Party over allegations of vote chori and the Election Commission. Following the opposition alliance's massive show of strength at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi featuring Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Akhilesh Yadav, and Mamata Banerjee, the BJP launched a multi-city counteroffensive. Leading the street offensive, BJP chief Nitin Nabin held padayatras in Bihar and Bengal, while Union Home Minister Amit Shah mounted a countercharge in Hyderabad, offering a special session of Parliament for debate while accusing the Congress of relying on anarchy to stay relevant. The clashes extended across multiple cities with counterprotests and competing claims over crowd turnouts, including sharp disputes over chair counts at rally venues. With public impeachments, padayatras, and street demonstrations playing out simultaneously, both sides continue to battle fiercely to control the political narrative and perception.
The Bharatiya Janata Party and the INDIA bloc held competing rallies and marches across Delhi and Haryana's Rohtak. The opposition alliance staged the 'Chalo Delhi' march to Ramlila Maidan, raising allegations of electoral irregularities and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. In response, the BJP organized counter-demonstrations, including a solidarity padyatra in Delhi concerning the 1984 anti-Sikh riots attended by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and senior leaders. Additionally, BJP National President Nitin Nabin led the 'Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao' padyatra alongside Smriti Irani in Rohtak, targeting the Congress and countering the opposition's claims.
Following the conclusion of the INDIA bloc's mega rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, the Bharatiya Janata Party mounted a counter-offensive against the opposition. The BJP scheduled a press conference featuring national spokesperson Sambit Patra to rebut allegations raised by Rahul Gandhi, who demanded the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner. Concurrently, BJP national president Nitin Nabin criticised the opposition leaders, asserting that the political parties participating in the rally represent defeated forces from states like Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal seeking to spread anarchy out of frustration. The BJP also organised counter-protest marches in Delhi and Rohtak, raising the 1984 anti-Sikh riots to accuse the Congress party and its allies of ignoring historical violence against victims while staging political agitations in the national capital.
A political showdown erupted in Delhi ahead of planned parallel marches by the Opposition and the Bharatiya Janata Party. Visuals from Minto Road showed Congress workers tearing down Bharatiya Janata Party hoardings depicting 1984 anti-Sikh riot atrocities. The incident occurred prior to Rahul Gandhi's scheduled march towards Ramlila Maidan, while the Bharatiya Janata Party organised a counter-march from Hari Nagar to Tilak Nagar to commemorate the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh violence. Leaders including Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri had earlier criticised the Congress for organising political demonstrations between 1 November and 4 November, stating that the period is traditionally observed in prayer and community service by the Sikh community. Massive crowds of Bharatiya Janata Party workers gathered in Hari Nagar ahead of their march, while tensions escalated across the capital over the vandalised posters.
Ahead of the INDIA bloc rally at Ramlila Maidan, the Bharatiya Janata Party mounted a sharp offensive against the opposition, invoking the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The BJP organised a march from Tilak Nagar to Hari Nagar in Delhi, stating that the pain and wounds of the 1984 victims remain alive and accusing the Congress of attempting to bury them under political theatrics. Referring to the massacre of Sikhs following the assassination of Indira Gandhi, party leaders questioned the timing of the opposition's mobilisation during a period of mourning. The BJP characterised the INDIA bloc's campaign as an effort to relaunch a failed leader ahead of upcoming regional elections. Meanwhile, extensive security arrangements and police fortifications, including paramilitary forces, were deployed across the national capital to monitor the competing demonstrations.
The national capital is set for a massive political face-off on November 1 as the INDIA bloc and the Bharatiya Janata Party take their respective protests to the streets. The opposition alliance plans a march starting from Minto Bridge and culminating at Ramlila Maidan, targeting alleged irregularities in the Special Summary Revision process and demanding the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation. Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal, and Left representatives, are scheduled to participate under extensive crowd mobilization efforts. Conversely, the BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal condemned the rally's timing, citing the anniversary of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. In counter-mobilization, the BJP organized a demonstration from Tilak Nagar to Hari Nagar with riot victims and community members. To prevent disruptions, Delhi Police and central forces deployed over 4,000 personnel, AI-enabled CCTV monitoring, and drones along key routes.
Delhi is bracing for a major political face-off on November 1 as the INDIA Bloc and the Bharatiya Janata Party take their battles to the streets. The opposition INDIA Bloc has organised a mega march and rally from Minto Bridge to Ramlila Maidan, demanding the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner over alleged irregularities in the Special Summary Revision process. Leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee are slated to attend. Concurrently, the Bharatiya Janata Party is staging a counter-march from Tilak Nagar to Hari Nagar in remembrance of the 1984 anti-Sikh riot victims, led by leaders including Hardeep Singh Puri, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and Manjinder Singh Sirsa. Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal sharply criticised the Congress for holding a political rally during a period of mourning and seva. Delhi Police have cleared the Ramlila Maidan gathering with strict conditions, deploying extensive CCTV coverage, drones, and paramilitary forces.
A Delhi Pollution Control Committee report shows water contamination levels across the Yamuna River, with biochemical oxygen demand rising from two milligrams per litre at Palla to 30 milligrams per litre at ISBT Bridge and faecal coliform bacteria counts reaching 35,000 MPN per 100 millilitres. Toxic froth continues to coat stretches around Kalindi Kunj due to untreated sewage and waste immersion. Meanwhile, air quality index data indicates that 24 of the 25 most polluted cities globally are in India. In policy developments, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways amended Rule 115 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, formally recognising E100 fuel for compatible flex-fuel vehicles. In political developments, Bharatiya Janata Party President Nitin Nabin and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta led a pad yatra in Chandni Chowk, addressing voter list revisions ahead of an INDIA bloc rally at Ramlila Maidan, while highlighting the party's recent MLC election victories across four states.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched the trial run for the Namo Yamuna River Cruise ahead of Chhath Puja, marking a key milestone in developing riverfront tourism. Operating along a five-kilometre stretch from Wazirabad to Jagatpur, the eco-friendly safari accommodates 30 to 40 passengers. Officials noted the section upstream of Wazirabad was selected due to deeper and comparatively cleaner waters. While the initiative aims to offer a scenic recreational retreat, comprehensive cleaning of the broader 15-kilometre stretch towards Kalindi Kunj remains underway through new sewage treatment plants and drain diversion projects under an 8,910-crore rupee central plan.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a key review meeting at the Delhi Police headquarters along with Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and senior police leadership to take stock of the law and order situation in the national capital. The meeting, which lasted for over three hours, focused on public law and order, crime, and safety interventions amidst recent protests in the city. The Home Minister reviewed security measures and appreciated the efforts of the Delhi Police personnel and ground jawans in maintaining law and order under pressure.
Air quality across Delhi NCR has deteriorated into the poor category, recording an Air Quality Index of 244 and prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management to enforce stage one of the Graded Response Action Plan. The winter anti-pollution measures include intensified road sweeping, water sprinkling, dust control at construction sites, and curbs on open waste burning. The Delhi government has also outlined plans including staggered office timings, fifty per cent work from home guidelines, and additional Delhi Metro train trips to encourage public transport. Meanwhile, a political confrontation has broken out between Delhi and Punjab over farm fires. Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa alleged that stubble burning in Punjab is sabotaging the capital's anti-pollution efforts, asserting that Delhi recorded 214 days of good or moderate air quality this year. In contrast, political voices in Punjab argue that stubble is not the primary cause of Delhi's pollution and demand adequate financial compensation for farmers to facilitate alternative crop residue management solutions.
Delhi's air quality slipped into the 'poor' category with the Air Quality Index touching 216 ahead of Dussehra and Diwali festivities, prompting the Delhi government to roll out its Winter Pollution Plan. Enforced from 1 November to 28 February, the plan introduces strict measures to curb vehicular emissions, construction dust, and traffic congestion across the national capital. Key initiatives include a ban on non-BS6 vehicles registered outside Delhi, strict enforcement of the 'no PUC, no fuel' mandate at petrol pumps, deployment of artificial intelligence-powered cameras to monitor construction and waste burning, and a 50% work-from-home advisory for government and private offices. Public transport is being augmented with additional electric buses, increased metro trips, and improved last-mile connectivity. Ground reporting also highlighted government preparations to shift schools to hybrid or online modes if pollution levels escalate further during winter.
The Delhi government has formulated a comprehensive winter action plan to curb air pollution, scheduled to remain in effect from November 1 to February 28. Under the initiative, the administration will enforce a 'no PUC, no fuel' policy and restrict the entry of non-BS6 compliant vehicles registered outside the national capital. Authorities will also introduce stringent measures to monitor construction dust using artificial intelligence-powered cameras. Additional interventions include an emphasis on 50 per cent work from home alongside the promotion of public transport, including buses, the metro, and last-mile connectivity, aiming to secure clean air and reduce seasonal toxic emissions across Delhi.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta criticised the Cockroach Janta Party, terming it the B-team of the Aam Aadmi Party and accusing it of executing a politically motivated agenda. Gupta questioned why the outfit holds protests in Delhi rather than demonstrating in Punjab over law-and-order incidents such as drug-related killings. She highlighted the financial strain on Delhi traders due to recurring demonstrations during the festive season, pointing out that designated sites like Ramlila Maidan and Burari Ground are available. Meanwhile, Delhi Police maintained heavy barricading and restrictions across Central Delhi to prevent unsanctioned gatherings at Jantar Mantar.
A demolition drive was carried out under heavy police deployment in Delhi's Shalimar Bagh area to facilitate an ongoing road-widening project leading to Max Hospital. Civic authorities deployed bulldozers late at night to demolish parts of Madina Masjid along with several adjoining residential structures identified as encroachments. Civic agencies stated that notices had been issued prior to taking down the structures to clear the road. However, the mosque committee claimed that multiple notices were served in rapid succession without adequate time to respond. AIMIM Delhi State President Shoaib Jamati arrived at the site, terming the overnight demolition unconstitutional and drawing comparisons to a previous incident in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Local residents also expressed dismay over the action taken in the constituency. Demolition operations have currently been halted and bulldozers removed from the location.
The Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls has triggered controversy across West Bengal and Delhi. In West Bengal, over 37 lakh appeals remain pending before tribunals following the deletion of approximately 27 lakh voters. Based on the Election Commission of India's affidavit before the Supreme Court, disposing of this massive backlog at the current monthly pace of around 25,238 cases could take nearly 12 years. To accelerate hearings, the poll panel has sought to increase the number of appellate tribunals from 19 to 42. Meanwhile, in Delhi, 33.3 lakh voters have received revision notices over discrepancies such as unmapped records from the 2002 voter list, name mismatches, and age differences. High-profile figures, including Union Ministers, former and current Chief Ministers, and senior officials, have received notices. The Election Commission clarified that issuing a notice does not equate to deletion, ensuring that no name will be removed without a hearing, while the opposition alleges large-scale voter exclusion.
Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and four of his family members have been served electoral roll verification notices under the unmapped with last Special Intensive Revision category. The Election Commission issued notices due to incomplete enumeration forms and unlinked details from the last revision roll. Kejriwal stepped up his attack on the exercise, alleging millions of missing names from the draft voter list. Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's details were flagged for a discrepancy during the process and subsequently validated after physical verification by the Booth Level Officer. The notice disposal process must be completed by October 29.
