NEW DELHI — Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and her ministers were sworn in on Thursday at a public function at Ramlila Maidan, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union ministers, and several chief ministers. The event marked the beginning of a new era in Delhi’s governance, with the cabinet hitting the ground running immediately after the ceremony.

Following a visit to the secretariat, the cabinet convened at the Yamuna banks before holding an evening meeting. The portfolios were announced later that night. Gupta will oversee the finance and revenue departments, while Parvesh Verma will handle Public Works Department (PWD) and water. Ashish Sood will manage home affairs, power, urban development, and education. Manjinder Singh Sirsa will be in charge of industries and environment, Kapil Mishra will oversee law and justice, Dr. Pankaj Kumar Singh will handle health and transport, and Ravinder Indraj Singh will lead social welfare.

Vijender Gupta is likely to be the new Speaker of the Delhi Legislative Assembly. The cabinet composition reflects a careful balance of regional and caste representation, including Pankaj Singh, a Thakur from Poorvanchal, Indraj, a representative of the Scheduled Castes, and the chief minister, who is a Bania. Gupta, Sood, Singh, and Indraj are first-time MLAs.

The choice of venue was politically significant, as it had witnessed the Jan Lokpal protests by anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare, which eventually led to the formation of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). This was the same venue where Arvind Kejriwal and his cabinet had been sworn in on February 14, 2015. Kejriwal had promised to rid the city of corruption and warned his party against “ahankar” (arrogance).

Gupta, who became the fourth woman and ninth overall Chief Minister of the capital, offered prayers at the Marghat Wale Hanuman Temple at Kashmere Gate before reaching the venue. She was followed in the swearing-in ceremony by New Delhi MLA Parvesh Verma, who drew enthusiastic cheers from the audience. Newly-elected MLAs Ashish Sood (Janakpuri), Dr. Pankaj Singh (Vikaspuri), Manjinder Singh Sirsa (Rajouri Garden), Ravinder Indraj (Bawana), and Kapil Mishra (Karwal Nagar) followed.

People had started gathering at the venue since early morning, with many showing their support for Prime Minister Modi by wearing his masks and holding up his cutouts. Many were waving the Tricolour and party flags. A band performed patriotic and devotional melodies like “Ram Aayenge to angna sajaenge” and “Aai watan.”

Union Home Minister Amit Shah was among the first senior leaders to reach the venue, followed by BJP national president JP Nadda and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma. The loudest cheers were, of course, for Modi when he entered the stage with ministers, NDA leaders, and others standing up to greet him. The PM and CM exchanged greetings with Gupta wearing a broad smile. Several women who have worked with Gupta in the party’s women’s wing had turned up in large groups to show their support to the chief minister.

The event was also attended by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The stage was a showcase of NDA unity with Bihar Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha, Rajasthan Deputy CM Prem Chand Bairwa, Goa CM Pramod Sawant, Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu, Haryana CM Naib Singh Saini, and Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Lal Yadav also present on the stage. Spiritual leaders were also put center stage at the event that concluded with the national anthem.

Rajya Sabha MP from the Aam Aadmi Party, Swati Maliwal, whose relationship with the party turned bitter in recent times, and Congress’s Delhi president Devender Yadav were the only representatives of the Opposition.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi conveyed his best wishes to Rekha Gupta on X. “Congratulations to Smt Rekha Gupta ji on taking oath as Delhi’s chief minister. She rose from the grassroots, being active in campus politics, state organization, municipal administration, and now MLA as well as chief minister. I am confident she will work for Delhi’s development with full vigor. My best wishes to her for a fruitful tenure.”

This inauguration marks a significant moment in Delhi’s political landscape, reminiscent of the historic swearing-in ceremonies in the United States. For instance, when Barack Obama was sworn in as President in 2009, it was a moment of unity and hope for many Americans. Similarly, the swearing-in of Rekha Gupta and her cabinet in Delhi symbolizes a new chapter in the city’s governance, with promises of development and progress.

Gupta’s cabinet reflects a diverse representation, much like the cabinet of President Joe Biden, which includes members from various backgrounds and regions. This diversity is crucial for addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by Delhi, from urban development to healthcare and education.

One of the key challenges Gupta will face is managing the city’s infrastructure, particularly in light of the growing population and urbanization. This is akin to the challenges faced by mayors in major U.S. cities like New York and Los Angeles, where infrastructure development and maintenance are constant priorities.

Another significant area of focus will be healthcare, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Gupta’s cabinet will need to ensure that Delhi’s healthcare system is robust and capable of handling future health crises. This is similar to the efforts by U.S. governors and mayors to strengthen healthcare infrastructure during the pandemic.

In conclusion, the swearing-in of Rekha Gupta and her cabinet marks a new era for Delhi. With a diverse and experienced team, Gupta is poised to tackle the city’s challenges head-on. The support from Prime Minister Modi and other senior leaders bodes well for the new government’s initiatives. As Delhi looks forward to a future of development and progress, the city’s residents can expect a government that is committed to their well-being and prosperity.