30 years ago, they took oath together: Alka Lamba’s nostalgic photo with Delhi CM designate Rekha Gupta goes viral

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Alka Lamba congratulated newly elected Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday, expressing hope that her leadership would ensure a cleaner Yamuna and improved women's safety.

Sharing an old photo from 1995, Lamba recalled taking oath alongside Gupta—Lamba as DUSU President from NSUI and Gupta as General Secretary from ABVP. "Congratulations and best wishes to Rekha Gupta," she wrote.

"Congratulations to Delhi for getting its fourth woman chief minister. We hope #MaaYamuna will be clean, and daughters will be safe," Lamba added.
Alka Lamba, who won the DUSU elections in 1995 and became its president from NSUI, and Rekha Gupta, elected as general secretary from ABVP the same year, were both influential youth leaders shaping Delhi’s student politics at the time.
The photo Lamba shared captures the moment they took their oaths as DUSU office bearers. Years later, Rekha Gupta has now ascended to the position of chief minister.
Rekha Gupta, chosen as BJP’s legislative leader, met Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena and staked her claim to form the government. She will take the oath as Chief Minister at Ramlila Maidan tomorrow, becoming Delhi’s fourth woman CM.
BJP workers and supporters celebrated the party’s return to power after 27 years, with Gupta’s husband, Manish Gupta, also joining in.
Expressing gratitude, Gupta pledged to work with "honesty, integrity, and dedication" for Delhi’s development. "I thank the BJP leadership for their trust. This support gives me new energy and inspiration," she posted on X.
She will be the fourth woman to hold the top post after Sushma Swaraj (BJP), Sheila Dikshit (Congress), and Atishi (AAP).
Gupta’s appointment underscores the BJP’s strategy to maintain caste and community balance in its cabinet. Alongside her, six ministers will be sworn in at a grand ceremony at Ramlila Maidan on Thursday.

The cabinet includes Pravesh Verma (Jaat), Manjinder Sirsa (Sikh), Ashish Sood (Punjabi), Pankaj Kumar Singh (Purvanchali), Ravinder Singh Indraj (Dalit), and Kapil Mishra (Purvanchali and Brahmin).
With 48 seats in a historic win, the BJP ousted the Aam Aadmi Party from power. Preparations for the swearing-in ceremony are in full swing.
'Nahi Nahi to Sheesh Mahal'
Gupta, set to take the oath of office on Thursday, made it clear that she has no plans to reside in 'Sheesh Mahal.'

When asked about it, Gupta responded, "Nahi Nahi." She further told reporters, "We will make Sheesh Mahal a museum. We will also fulfill all the promises PM Modi made. I thank him for choosing me for this position.
Over 25,000 security personnel deployed for Delhi CM's oath ceremony
More than 25,000 security personnel and over 15 companies of paramilitary forces have been stationed across the national capital ahead of the new chief minister’s oath-taking ceremony at Ramlila Maidan on Thursday, a Delhi Police officer said.
The event is expected to witness the presence of top BJP leaders, including chief ministers from party-ruled states.
"We have deployed more than 25,000 police personnel and over 15 companies of paramilitary forces," the officer stated, emphasizing that "robust" security measures have been put in place to ensure law and order.
"More than 5,000 police and paramilitary force personnel are deployed in and around Ramlila Maidan. Around 2,500 strategic points were identified where heavy deployment has already been made," he added.