New Delhi: Former chief minister Atishi and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal will be invited to the swearing-in ceremony of the next Delhi chief minister and the cabinet of the BJP government on February 20 at the Ramlila Maidan, sources said.
The ceremony is scheduled for around 4:30 pm and is expected to be attended by top BJP leaders, including chief ministers from party-ruled states, sources said. The BJP legislative party meeting, initially set for Monday, has been postponed to Wednesday when the party is likely to finalise its chief ministerial candidate.
Meanwhile, preparations were underway at Ramlila Maidan, which can accommodate around 30,000 people. On Monday, workers were seen cleaning the grounds, pavements, and surrounding roads, while the boundary walls received a fresh coat of paint.
Besides Atishi and Kejriwal, the BJP leadership is also inviting the party’s 262 coordinators working in Delhi’s slum settlements and the heads of these slums will be invited. More than 35 religious leaders will also be invited. More than 75,000 Delhi residents to the swearing-in ceremony.
“The layout of the tents, including a VIP block for dignitaries, is being finalised. Around one lakh people are expected to be inside and outside the venue to celebrate the BJP’s victory in Delhi after 26 years,” a source said.
BJP comes to power in Delhi
The BJP has reclaimed power in Delhi after 26 years, securing a decisive victory in the recent Assembly elections, the results of which were declared on February 8.
The party ended AAP’s decade-long rule by winning 48 of the 70 seats, while AAP managed only 22. Adding to BJP’s triumph, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal lost his New Delhi seat to Parvesh Verma.
Delhi CM contenders
Speculation is rife about the next chief minister, with several newly-elected MLAs emerging as contenders. Leading the race are Parvesh Verma, who defeated Kejriwal, and former Delhi BJP presidents Vijender Gupta and Satish Upadhyay.
Other potential candidates include Pawan Sharma, Ashish Sood, Rekha Gupta, and Shikha Rai. Additionally, Ravinder Indraj Singh, MLA from Bawana (SC), and Kailash Gangwal, who secured Madipur (SC) for the BJP for the first time, are also in contention.
Many within the party believe the BJP leadership may choose an unexpected candidate, following a pattern seen in states like Rajasthan, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh.
