New Delhi: On the second day of the WITT Summit, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta spoke about her unexpected rise to power, her governance philosophy, and recent controversies.
When asked about her rapid ascent from first-time MLA to CM, she responded with poetic flair, saying that perhaps BJP’s top leadership and Prime Minister Modi believed in “behtar se khoob aur khoob se aur behtar talaash kar, mil jaaye darya toh samundar talaash kar, aur pathar se sheeshe toh tootte hai bohat, par wo sheesha talaash kar jisse pathar tootte hai bohat.” She expressed gratitude for the party’s trust and credited her “30-year-long organizational journey, public support, and leadership’s faith” for her success.
Addressing whether she anticipated becoming CM, Gupta revealed that there was no prior phone call—her appointment was “directly announced.” She said she never aspired for any position but only focused on fulfilling the responsibilities assigned by the party with dedication.
Responding to the opposition’s criticism of her remark against the police in the Assembly, she apologized, saying that as a “new CM,” she might have unintentionally used words reflecting the common man’s frustration. She assured that she meant no disrespect.
On being compared to former CM Arvind Kejriwal, who once faced legal trouble over his language, Gupta acknowledged that she was “still learning” and would “evolve through experience.” She emphasized that Delhi belongs equally to people of all faiths, and there will be “no discrimination” in delivering public services.
When asked about false narratives against her, Gupta dismissed them by quoting, “Kuch toh log kahenge, logo ka kaam hai kehna” (People will talk, it’s their job to talk). She asserted that her administration would focus on ensuring “equal rights for all,” without engaging in appeasement politics. She stressed that her government would prioritize policies that benefit everyone equally, promoting “satisfaction, not appeasement.”
On controversies like the “gujiya versus seviyan” debate in Sambhal, she refused to comment, saying she preferred to “focus on Delhi’s development.”
Referring to her poetic remarks during the budget session, she reiterated that she holds “no personal enmity” against Kejriwal but believes his “10-year tenure must be held accountable.” Criticizing his unfulfilled promises, she remarked that the Rs 2,500 scheme for women was being launched “systematically,” unlike Kejriwal’s “short-term, unplanned announcements.” She also assured that public money invested in Sheesh Mahal would be used “efficiently,” though plans were still being finalized.
The WITT Summit, organized by TV9 Group, is being held at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi on March 28-29, 2025. The two-day event covers topics like politics, governance, economics, health, culture, and sports. Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered the keynote address on Day 1.
