BJP is considering two deputy CMs in Delhi to ensure wider community representation and balanced governance.
New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is contemplating the idea of appointing two deputy chief ministers in Delhi, adopting a model already implemented in states like Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. This approach is designed to provide wider representation to diverse communities within the government.
Given Delhi’s demographic diversity, which makes it a reflection of “mini India,” the saffron party is exploring the possibility of structuring its new cabinet to include two deputy chief ministers. The objective behind this move is to ensure that different communities in the national capital have adequate representation in the government. A party insider highlighted that MLAs from various social backgrounds—including Punjabis, Sikhs, Purvanchalis, Uttarakhandis, Vaishyas, and Jats—have secured seats, necessitating their inclusion in governance. The concept of appointing deputy CMs is seen as a way to facilitate this inclusion. According to a senior party leader, if the Chief Minister belongs to one particular community, the deputy CM positions could be utilised to balance the representation by selecting individuals from other communities, such as women, Sikhs, Jats, or Banias, who significantly contributed to the BJP’s electoral victory.
According to a source within the party, having two deputy CMs will allow the BJP to accommodate MLAs from diverse castes, communities, and regional backgrounds. The source emphasised that this approach has been successfully adopted in BJP-ruled states like Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, and it is now being seriously considered for Delhi as well.
The proposal is currently under review by the BJP’s national leadership, which will make the final decision on its implementation, along with selecting the Chief Minister and other cabinet ministers. The formation of the government is expected to gain momentum once Prime Minister Narendra Modi returns from his foreign visit over the weekend. Following his return, the BJP legislative party is likely to convene a meeting on Sunday to elect the leader of the House, who will assume the role of Delhi’s next Chief Minister, along with the two deputy CMs.
Additionally, several BJP MLAs are being considered for the Chief Minister’s post. Among the frontrunners is Parvesh Verma, who secured a significant victory against AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal in the New Delhi constituency. Furthermore, newly elected MLAs like Karnail Singh and Raj Kumar Bhatia are also being discussed as potential candidates for the top position. Other contenders include former Delhi BJP chiefs Vijender Gupta and Satish Upadhyay, as well as senior leaders such as Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Pawan Sharma, Ashish Sood, Rekha Gupta, and Shikha Rai.
