The Political Evolution of Delhi: From Early Governance to 2025

Delhi’s Early Political Years: Post-Independence to Self-Governance
Post-independence, Delhi was a “Part C” state governed by a Chief Commissioner. In 1952, Delhi took its first step toward self-governance with the formation of its legislative assembly, and Brahm Prakash became the first Chief Minister. However, the States Reorganization Act of 1956 reclassified Delhi as a Union Territory, dissolving the assembly and placing governance back under central control.

BJS and BJP’s Influence: Shaping Delhi’s Politics
The Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS) gained prominence in the 1960s, particularly among Hindu refugees after Partition. It led protests and formed the Delhi Metropolitan Council in 1966. In 1977, the Janata Party’s victory paved the way for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The Re-establishment of Delhi’s Legislative Assembly
In 1993, Delhi regained its legislative assembly, with the BJP securing victory in the first elections. In 2013, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) emerged, securing 28 seats but saw a short tenure when Kejriwal resigned after 49 days due to political pressures.

AAP’s Rise and BJP’s Continued Dominance
In 2014, the BJP swept the national elections, securing all seven of Delhi’s Lok Sabha seats. However, AAP made a remarkable comeback in 2015, securing 67 out of 70 Delhi Legislative Assembly seats. Despite AAP’s rise, voters often supported Modi for Prime Minister and Kejriwal for Chief Minister, a trend seen in the 2019 elections.

Delhi’s Influential Chief Ministers
Delhi’s political landscape has been shaped by key leaders:

• Chaudhary Brahm Prakash (1952-1955): Focused on rural development and social justice.
• Gurmukh Nihal Singh (1955-1956): Prioritized urban infrastructure.
• Madan Lal Khurana (1993-1996): Focused on urban development and law enforcement.
• Sushma Swaraj (1998): Briefly served before becoming External Affairs Minister.
• Sheila Dikshit (1998-2013): Transformed Delhi with major infrastructure projects.
• Arvind Kejriwal (2013-2014, 2015-present): Led anti-corruption reforms and significantly shaped Delhi’s politics.

The 2025 Delhi Elections: What’s at Stake?
The 2025 elections, set for February 2025, will cover 70 constituencies, ensuring fair representation, including 12 reserved seats for Scheduled Castes. Major parties like AAP, BJP, and Congress, along with independent candidates, will compete for control, shaping Delhi’s future.

Rekha Gupta as Delhi’s New Chief Minister
In a significant political development, the BJP appointed Rekha Gupta as Delhi’s Chief Minister after a crucial party meeting. Gupta won the Shalimar Bagh seat, defeating AAP’s Bandana Kamari, marking the BJP’s return to power in Delhi after 26 years. Parvesh Verma was named Deputy Chief Minister.

Delhi’s New Cabinet Ministers and Their Roles

• Rekha Gupta: Services,Finance, Revenue, Planning, Women & Child Development, Land & Building, Vigilance, and more.
• Parvesh Verma: Public Works Dept, Legislative Affairs, Water, Flood control and Gurudwara Elections.
• Ashish Sood: Home, Power, Urban Development, Education, technical education and Higher Education.
• Manjinder Singh Sirsa: Food & Supplies, wild life , Forest & Environment, and Industries.
• Ravinder Indraj Singh: Social Welfare, SC & ST Welfare, Cooperatives, and Elections.
• Kapil Mishra: Law & Justice, Labour, Employment, Development, Art and Culture, and Tourism.
• Pankaj Kumar Singh: Health, Transport, and IT.

A Transformative Era for Delhi
With Rekha Gupta leading, the BJP is committed to improving Delhi’s infrastructure, social welfare, and governance. The new cabinet’s diverse and experienced leadership will focus on sustainable development, making Delhi more inclusive, advanced, and resilient.

Key Departments and Their Functions

Delhi’s growth and development are largely shaped by a range of government departments that tackle specific areas crucial for the city’s infrastructure, welfare, and governance. Here’s a breakdown of the important departments and their roles in shaping the city’s future:

1. Gurudwara Elections Department: This department ensures the smooth and transparent conduct of elections for the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC). By maintaining voter registration, overseeing electoral processes, and ensuring security, it helps facilitate fair elections, with a focus on transparency and digital initiatives to increase voter participation.
2. Home Department: Responsible for law and order, public safety, and security, the Home Department manages agencies like Delhi Police, Fire Services, and Disaster Management. It ensures crime prevention, handles emergencies, and monitors public events while promoting digital policing and community engagement.
3. Power Department: Ensuring the continuous and efficient supply of electricity, this department oversees power generation, transmission, and distribution in Delhi. It encourages the use of renewable energy sources, energy-efficient appliances, and implements policies that promote sustainability and reduce carbon footprints.
4. Urban Development (UD) Department: The UD department works on urban infrastructure development, including transportation, sanitation, housing, and waste management. It prioritizes affordable housing, slum rehabilitation, and green initiatives, making the city more liveable and disaster-resilient through modern technology and urban planning.
5. Education Department: Focused on primary and secondary education, the department ensures quality education through government-run schools, digital learning platforms, and scholarships. It enforces the Right to Education (RTE) and provides resources for underprivileged students, including special provisions for differently-abled children.
6. Higher Education Department: Managing universities and colleges, this department ensures academic excellence, faculty development, and international collaborations. It also focuses on skill-based learning, fostering research, innovation, and entrepreneurship, making higher education more accessible, especially for marginalized groups.
7. Training & Technical Education Department: Responsible for technical and vocational training, the department runs institutions like ITIs and polytechnics. It provides industry-relevant skills, supports apprenticeships, and integrates cutting-edge technology to meet the evolving needs of the job market.
8. Food & Supplies Department: This department administers the Public Distribution System (PDS) to ensure the fair distribution of essential food items to economically disadvantaged families. It regulates food pricing, ensures quality control, and promotes digital systems like e-ration cards for better transparency.
9. Forest & Environment Department: Tasked with preserving Delhi’s green spaces and managing pollution, the department enforces environmental laws, promotes afforestation, and encourages renewable energy use. It works towards maintaining ecological balance and safeguarding wildlife.
10. Industries Department: Focused on economic growth, this department supports small businesses, start-ups, and the manufacturing sector. It eases bureaucratic procedures, provides financial aid, and promotes sustainable industrial practices, all while ensuring worker welfare through labour law enforcement.
11. Social Welfare Department: Supporting marginalized communities, the department provides financial aid, pensions, and social security to vulnerable populations. It runs welfare programs, promotes women’s empowerment, and offers vocational training and legal aid to ensure social inclusion.
12. SC & ST Welfare Department: Dedicated to improving the welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, this department provides scholarships, hostel facilities, and financial assistance. It also works to eliminate caste-based discrimination and supports employment, education, and housing initiatives for these communities.
13. Cooperative Department: Promoting community-based economic models, the department regulates cooperatives and supports their growth with financial aid and training. It emphasizes the importance of women-led cooperatives and works to ensure the transparent and efficient operation of cooperatives.
14. Elections Department: Responsible for ensuring free and fair elections in Delhi, the department oversees voter registration, updates electoral rolls, and ensures the security of election processes. It also embraces digital initiatives to streamline the voting experience.
15. Law & Justice Department: This department ensures the legal integrity of Delhi’s governance by providing legal advice, promoting judicial reforms, and offering legal aid to marginalized groups. It plays a vital role in resolving government-related disputes and promoting justice.
16. Labour Department: The Labour Department works to safeguard worker rights, ensure workplace safety, and resolve disputes. It also runs skill development programs and supports marginalized workers, especially those in the unorganized sector, with a focus on fair wages and social security.
17. Employment Development Department: Connecting job seekers with employers, this department focuses on skill development, job fairs, and career counselling. It promotes self-employment and entrepreneurship, especially for marginalized groups, to enhance job opportunities.
18. Culture, Tourism, Art & Language Department: Promoting Delhi’s rich heritage, this department organizes cultural events, supports local artists, and develops tourism infrastructure to make the city a global cultural hub. It also fosters creativity and celebrates Delhi’s diversity.
19. Health & Family Welfare Department: The health department manages public healthcare services, including hospitals, dispensaries, and health programs. It works on disease prevention, maternal and child healthcare, and improving overall healthcare accessibility for all residents.
20. Transport Department: The Transport Department is crucial in managing Delhi’s public transportation, including buses, taxis, and the metro system. It focuses on reducing pollution by encouraging eco-friendly transportation options and improving traffic management and road safety.
21. Information Technology Department: Leading the city’s digital transformation, the IT department promotes e-governance, enhances cyber security, and develops IT infrastructure. It works on smart city initiatives, ensuring that technology improves government services and urban living.

Together, these departments play vital roles in ensuring that Delhi’s infrastructure, economy, and social welfare continue to grow, all while fostering a sustainable and inclusive future for its residents.

Disclaimer: (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the KanoonKiBaat staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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