Shielding the feminine in political reckoning has been one of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s creative continuations in statecraft. In the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, he redefined the notion of “constituency" for women. The BJP was mindful of the women’s vote, recognising it as a key area for voter mobilisation. Delhi’s women outvoted men, with a turnout of 60.92 per cent compared to 60.21 per cent for men.

Months ahead of the polls, the BJP also noted a significant shift in voter registrations, particularly among women. The Chief Electoral Office received 5.1 lakh new voter applications, two-thirds of which came from women—an “unprecedented" development. The BJP successfully intercepted this assertion of female autonomy, reflected in media and social media interactions as well as the surge in voter registrations in January. With no chief ministerial face, it was Modi all the way.

The party aggressively pursued engagement with this segment, tapping into a fertile electoral opportunity. The BJP outperformed AAP, winning 48 of the 70 seats, securing the Punjabi, Jat, Purvanchali, and jhuggi vote, even as constituencies dominated by Muslim and Scheduled Caste voters remained beyond its reach.

During her first 36 hours as chief minister, Rekha Gupta’s media interactions indicated that her understanding of Delhi’s complexities was not confined to a linear perspective. Her statements suggest that she has identified key deliverables under a time-bound 100-day work target and intends to adopt a systematic approach to her government’s implementation of the Mahila Samriddhi Yojana—an initiative that AAP leader Atishi began taunting her government over on day one.

In her media interactions, Gupta stated that she would prioritise the deprived sections first. She has reportedly outlined her government’s strategy for tackling Delhi’s pollution problem, emphasising a 365-day, time-bound approach that will address four specific aspects: parali (paddy husk) burning, dust, water, and vehicular pollution. Her clear segmentation of these issues underscores a structured approach.

The BJP-led Delhi government under CM Gupta approved the Ayushman Bharat Yojana in its first cabinet meeting and tabled CAG reports in the first Assembly session. These actions signal both readiness and sincerity in acknowledging the complexities of CM Gupta’s mandate—aimed at being both corrective and constructive in the transition from the Aam Aadmi Party to an Aam Mahila CM (pun intended).

The BJP has pledged to provide a Rs 500 subsidy on LPG cylinders for poor women, a free cylinder on Holi and Deepawali for eligible recipients, six nutritional kits, and Rs 21,000 in support for pregnant women. Additionally, the party has promised the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana with an extra Rs 50,000 in health coverage, a Rs 2,500 pension for senior citizens (aged 60 to 70), and meals at Rs 5 under the Atal Canteen Yojana for slum and cluster residents. Consider the frequency with which these measures, once implemented, would impact a woman’s life and those in her household.

With the exception of some erratic quick fixes and numerous failures in tackling pollution, Delhi’s previous regime lacked this level of sincerity. One of CM Gupta’s boldest statements has been on bureaucratic readiness to work towards Viksit Bharat. The underlying message suggests that she possesses strong........

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