Opinion | With Rekha Gupta, BJP Checkmates Opposition On Anti-Woman Jibe
Whether this translates into sustained governance success remains to be seen, but for now, it’s a checkmate against the anti-woman narrative
The Bharatiya Janata Party’s appointment of Rekha Gupta as Delhi’s Chief Minister is a strategic political move that challenges long-standing opposition narratives. A first-time MLA from Shalimar Bagh, Gupta’s elevation is not just symbolic—it is a calculated decision that blends gender optics, electoral strategy, and ideological positioning, setting the tone for the BJP’s governance in the national capital.
For years, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress have accused the BJP of sidelining women in leadership roles. The BJP has reversed this argument by appointing Gupta as Delhi’s fourth woman chief minister. Unlike AAP’s Atishi, who was made a temporary CM before being sidelined, Gupta’s appointment signals permanence and trust in female leadership. This strengthens the BJP’s narrative that it genuinely empowers women, rather than using them as placeholders.
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Gupta’s rise also plays into the BJP’s broader outreach to women voters, a crucial electoral bloc. The party’s Rs 2,500 monthly stipend for women, a key campaign promise, now gains additional weight with a female leader at the helm. As a grassroots politician who climbed the ranks from student activism to municipal governance, Gupta represents aspiration and relatability, further boosting the BJP’s image.
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The choice of Gupta also helps the BJP avoid potential pitfalls. Appointing Parvesh Verma, son of former CM Sahib Singh Verma, could have invited allegations of nepotism, while picking a high-profile male leader might have reinforced the party’s patriarchal image. Instead, Gupta’s non-dynastic background and unblemished political record position her as a fresh face, free from past baggage.
Whether Gupta can deliver on the BJP’s ambitious promises remains to be seen. But for now, her appointment forces the Opposition to rethink its gender-based critiques, giving the BJP an undeniable political edge.
SHATTERING ANTI-WOMAN STEREOTYPE WITH A BOLD CHOICE
The BJP’s selection of Rekha Gupta as Delhi’s CM is a powerful rebuttal to the Opposition’s narrative that the BJP is anti-women. This decision not only highlights the party’s commitment to gender equality but also showcases its ability to recognise and elevate capable women leaders. Rekha Gupta, a first-time MLA from Shalimar Bagh, has been chosen over several seasoned male politicians, reflecting the BJP’s dedication to breaking traditional gender barriers.
Her appointment as the fourth woman chief minister of Delhi, following Sushma Swaraj, Sheila Dikshit, and Atishi underscores the party’s progressive stance on women’s leadership. This strategic masterstroke not only enhances the BJP’s image but also demonstrates to its critics the party’s genuine commitment to women’s empowerment. By choosing Gupta, the BJP has effectively countered its critics, demonstrating its preference for merit and capability over gender biases. This decision is a testament to the party’s evolving ideology and its resolve to challenge and change the status quo.
TAPPING INTO WOMEN VOTERS’ ASPIRATIONS
Delhi’s women voters, a decisive bloc in recent elections, have been wooed by AAP’s freebies and Congress’s promises, often alongside barbs that the BJP neglects their interests. Rekha Gupta’s rise—coupled with the party’s Rs 2,500 monthly allowance pledge—flips this script. As a woman from a modest background, she embodies relatability and aspiration. Her victory margin of nearly 30,000 votes in Shalimar Bagh reflects her appeal, giving the BJP a credible face to counter Opposition outreach and reclaim the narrative of empowering “nari shakti" (women power).
Gupta’s appointment sends a strong message that the BJP is committed to addressing the needs and aspirations of women voters. By elevating a grassroots leader like Gupta, the party underscores its dedication to inclusivity and gender equality. Her journey from student activism to chief minister demonstrates that the BJP values merit and hard work over entrenched hierarchies. This move is likely to resonate with women across Delhi, who see in Gupta a leader who understands their struggles and is committed to improving their lives.
BJP TURNS THE TABLES ON OPPOSITION’S GENDER POLITICS
For years, AAP and the Congress have attacked the BJP for lacking women in top leadership roles. But with Gupta’s appointment, that narrative is crumbling. The saffron party has not only made a woman its face in the capital but has also ensured that her role is substantive—not just symbolic.
Contrast this with AAP’s treatment of Atishi. Arvind Kejriwal, eager to reclaim power despite his legal troubles, quickly sidelined her after the election, presenting her as the interim CM. This exposes a pattern in Opposition parties—using women as temporary placeholders rather than as long-term leaders. Gupta’s appointment, in comparison, signals a more permanent trust in female leadership.
Moreover, her rise through the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and student activism showcase a grassroots, merit-driven political journey, unlike AAP’s centralised, personality-driven structure. By choosing a relatively low-profile yet experienced leader, the BJP subtly highlights that its leadership choices are based on credibility, not tokenism.
With Gupta at the helm, the BJP has not only shattered the Opposition’s gender-based attacks but has also set the stage for redefining its leadership narrative in Delhi. The Opposition must now rethink its own commitment to gender empowerment.
Rekha Gupta’s selection as the Chief Minister of Delhi is a masterstroke that recasts the BJP as a party of substance over stereotype. It forces the Opposition to rethink its playbook, proving that the BJP can wield gender as both a shield and a sword in the capital’s political battlefield. Whether this translates into sustained governance success remains to be seen, but for now, it’s a checkmate against the anti-woman narrative.
The author, a columnist and research scholar, teaches journalism at St. Xavier’s College (autonomous), Kolkata. His handle on X is @sayantan_gh. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views.
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