In a significant development, Vijender Gupta is poised to become the Speaker of the Delhi Assembly, with Mohan Singh Bisht expected to be named Deputy Speaker.
The decision marks a pivotal moment in Delhi’s political landscape, further solidifying the leadership structure within the Assembly. Gupta’s extensive experience and political acumen are anticipated to play a crucial role in the legislative process. At the same time, Bisht’s appointment is seen as a strategic move to bolster the Assembly’s operations.
This announcement comes as part of ongoing efforts to enhance governance and ensure efficient functioning within the legislative body. The official appointments are expected to be confirmed in the coming days.
“I am thankful to the party for giving me the responsibility of Speaker of Delhi Assembly. I will fulfil my responsibility… I hope we will have healthy discussions in the House,” Gupta said before the swearing-in ceremony of the Delhi Cabinet.
Chief Minister-designate Rekha Gupta and her Council of Ministers will take oath at the Ramlila Maidan on Thursday afternoon in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking a return of the BJP in Delhi after 26 years. Gupta, 50, was chosen as Leader of the House in the newly constituted 8th Delhi Assembly, in a meeting of the BJP legislature party on Wednesday.
Besides Gupta, six newly elected MLAs — Parvesh Verma who defeated AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal from the New Delhi seat, Ashish Sood, Pankaj Singh, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Kapil Mishra and Ravinder Indraj — will take oath as members of the new Council of Ministers, according to a government notification.
The new Council of Ministers headed by Gupta is likely to hold its first meeting at the Delhi Secretariat around 3 pm and could implement the Mahila Samriddhi Yojna, under which eligible women will get a monthly payment of Rs 2,500, and Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme, party sources claimed.
The BJP ended a decade-long rule of Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP in Delhi, winning 48 of the 70 seats in the Assembly polls held on February 5. The BJP last had power in Delhi way back in 1993-98.
