New Delhi, 20th Feb. Congress leader Alka Lamba reminisced about her shared past with Delhi’s newly sworn-in Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, recalling their time as student leaders three decades ago. Lamba, who won the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) presidency in 1995 from the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), worked alongside Ms. Gupta, who was elected as the general secretary from Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in the same year.
“When it was announced that Rekha Gupta will become the Chief Minister of Delhi, I went back 30 years. I remembered how we took the oath together. We spent one year working together…She was from ABVP, I was from NSUI. We had major ideological fights,” Lamba told NDTV.
The Congress leader shared a nostalgic photograph from 1995, capturing the moment they took their oaths. “This memorable photo from 1995 – when Rekha Gupta and I took oath together. I won the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) Adhyaksh post from NSUI, and Rekha won the MahaSachiv post from ABVP. Congratulations,” she wrote.
‘Haven’t Met Since 1995’
Lamba revealed that she had not met Gupta since their student leadership days. “We did not meet after that as she became a councillor, I did not. The last time I met her was 30 years ago,” she said.
She also acknowledged the challenges that Gupta may face within the BJP. “I want her to succeed. But, there will be challenges for her within the BJP itself. Parvesh Verma was thinking he would become the Chief Minister… I hope BJP will give her the full five years of this position,” she remarked.
Lamba also referenced Gupta’s aggressive political past, recalling an incident during the election of the Standing Committee in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) House. “We have seen her aggressively vandalizing the podium and microphone. Now she is a Chief Minister. Running the assembly is a big responsibility. I think, if she wants to do it, she can do it well,” she added.
Fourth Woman CM of Delhi
Gupta, who won from Shalimar Bagh by defeating AAP’s Bandana Kumari, was sworn in today at a grand ceremony at Ramlila Ground in Delhi. The event was attended by Chief Ministers and Deputy Chief Ministers of 20 states, along with BJP leaders and workers from across the country.
Gupta is the fourth BJP Chief Minister of Delhi and the fourth woman to hold the post. Ms. Lamba expressed optimism, stating, “When a woman becomes Chief Minister, there is hope that the state would become safe for women. Not just this, there should be financial and social empowerment as well for women. I’m happy that Delhi has got a woman Chief Minister again.”
Lamba, who contested and lost against AAP leader and outgoing Chief Minister Atishi in the February 5 Delhi assembly election, said she hopes Ms. Gupta will be able to deliver on her new responsibilities.
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