Rekha Gupta sworn in as MLA as Delhi Assembly kicks off first session

The newly elected Delhi Assembly began its first session on Monday. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and her six cabinet ministers took their oaths as MLAs.

Kapil Mishra (BJP) chose Sanskrit for his oath, Sanjeev Jha (AAP) opted for Maithili, and Manjinder Singh Sirsa (BJP) used Punjabi. BJP MLA Arvinder Singh Lovely, appointed as pro-tem Speaker, took his oath from Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena at Raj Niwas before the session started.

Gupta was the first to be sworn in, followed by her cabinet. The remaining MLAs completed their oaths soon after. The session opened with legislators singing Vande Mataram. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva observed from the Speaker’s gallery.

Later in the day, MLAs will elect the new Speaker. BJP MLA Vijender Gupta is the frontrunner. According to the Delhi Assembly bulletin, Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena will address the House on February 25. The session will then table the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports, followed by a motion of thanks to the LG’s address.

Gupta stressed transparency, vowing to present the CAG report in the first session. She accused the previous government of misusing public funds and promised accountability.

Meanwhile, AAP MLAs appointed former Chief Minister Atishi as the Leader of Opposition. She is the first woman to hold the role. Arvind Kejriwal joined the meeting where 22 AAP MLAs endorsed her selection.

Atishi promised a strong opposition, vowing to pressure the BJP to fulfill its promises. She specifically mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pledge to give ₹2,500 to women by March 8.

The BJP defeated AAP in the February 5 elections, securing 48 of 70 seats. Key AAP leaders, including Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, lost their seats.