New Delhi: The oath-taking ceremony for Delhi's new Chief Minister is set for 4:30 PM on Thursday, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) yet to announce its candidate for the top post, according to media reports. The event is likely to be held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, though official confirmation is still awaited.
Sources indicate that the BJP's 48 newly-elected MLAs will convene on Wednesday to select their leader, who will then succeed the Aam Aadmi Party's Atishi as the next Chief Minister. The decision, reportedly delayed until Prime Minister Narendra Modi's return from international engagements, is now expected soon, with discussions involving Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President JP Nadda, and senior Delhi leaders.
The swearing-in ceremony is anticipated to be a grand affair, with over 200 former and current BJP MPs, Chief Ministers from BJP-ruled states, and prominent party leaders expected to attend.
According to reports, a shortlist of 15 candidates has been prepared. From this list, the Chief Minister, cabinet ministers, and Assembly Speaker will be selected. Sources suggest Delhi may initially have eight ministers.
Parvesh Verma, a two-time former MP who defeated former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, is seen as a leading contender for the CM post. Other potential candidates include Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva, first-time MP Bansuri Swaraj, and Satish Upadhyay.
The BJP's resounding victory, securing 48 out of 70 seats, marks a significant political shift in Delhi after decades of AAP dominance. The AAP managed to win only 22 seats, a sharp decline from its previous performances, while the Congress drew a blank for the third consecutive election.
