Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday became visibly emotional in the Delhi Assembly, expressing deep hurt over what she described as the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) consistent mockery of her verbal slips. The Chief Minister launched a strong attack on the opposition, stating that their actions were aimed at undermining her leadership as a woman at the helm of Delhi's government. This emotional outburst set the tone for a session where Gupta not only defended herself but also announced significant policy changes and leveled serious allegations against the previous administration.
Emotional Moment in Assembly
CM Rekha Gupta recounted instances where her accidental mispronunciations or slips of tongue were turned into memes by the Aam Aadmi Party, causing her considerable distress. She specifically mentioned being ridiculed for saying "AIQ" instead of "AQI" and "Congress" instead of "British. " Gupta emphasized that these were genuine mistakes, but the opposition chose to exploit them to belittle her, questioning her capability to govern Delhi simply because she's a woman. She stated that such personal attacks were uncalled for and reflected a deeper bias against female leadership.
Counter-Attack on AAP
Following her emotional address, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta swiftly shifted to. A counter-offensive, accusing the Aam Aadmi Party of deliberate deceit and corruption. She contrasted her unintentional errors with what she termed as AAP's intentional broken promises. Gupta reminded the house that AAP had initially vowed not to take government cars, bungalows, or facilities, yet they eventually did. She further alleged that a party that came to power on an anti-corruption plank deliberately built a "Sheesh Mahal" (palace of mirrors) indicative of corruption, implying a stark hypocrisy in their governance.
New Policies on School Fees
In a significant announcement aimed at providing relief to parents, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta declared that schools in Delhi would no longer be able to arbitrarily increase fees. She stated that her government was introducing a bill to regulate school fees, ensuring transparency and fairness. Gupta also addressed concerns about the legacy of Dr, while b. R. Ambedkar, asserting that her government had not removed his name from schools. Instead, she affirmed their commitment to transforming schools in a. Manner that would honor Baba Saheb's vision and make him proud.
Public Transport Modernization and Allegations
The Chief Minister outlined her government's ambitious plan to transition Delhi's public transport system to 100% electric vehicles (EVs). However, she immediately followed this with a scathing critique of the previous AAP government's handling of public transport finances, while gupta highlighted that the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) currently faces losses equivalent to the entire Delhi government's budget, attributing this massive deficit to the Aam Aadmi Party's tenure. She also alleged a significant scam in the name of free bus services for women, claiming that the previous system lacked transparency regarding the number of women traveling and the funds disbursed. Her government, she stated, would provide free pink cards to women for bus travel, ensuring a more accountable system.
A New Era of Governance
Rekha Gupta spoke optimistically about the current state of governance in Delhi, emphasizing a newfound collaboration between the government and various agencies, a stark contrast to the previous era of conflict. She described her government's arrival in February 2025 as a "ray of sunshine after years of darkness," indicating a period of stagnation and discord under the previous administration. Gupta affirmed her government's commitment to developing Delhi in alignment with Prime Minister Modi's vision, stating that in their short 11-month tenure, they've successfully initiated a change in Delhi's direction.
Key Achievements Highlighted
The Chief Minister detailed several achievements of her 11-month-old government. She proudly announced that the Ayushman Yojana was passed on the very first day of their administration, benefiting over 19,000 people to date. On top of that, her government has opened 238 Arogya Mandirs, with a target of establishing 1100 such centers. A significant institutional step was the creation of the Delhi State Ayush Society for the first time, underscoring their focus on traditional healthcare systems.
Explaining Delay in Women's Financial Aid
Addressing a persistent question from AAP leaders regarding the unfulfilled promise of Rs 2500 for women, CM Rekha Gupta provided a detailed explanation, while she attributed the delay to the massive financial liabilities inherited from the previous government. These include substantial debts such as Rs 9087 crore for various phases of DMRC projects, Rs 3700 crore for the Peripheral Road, Rs 3536 crore for the Power Department, unpaid prize money for sports children, Rs 1800 crore for hospitals, and Rs 250 crore for RRTS. On top of that, compensation for government employees who died during COVID-19 was also left unpaid by the previous administration, while despite these significant financial burdens, Gupta reassured the public that her government remains committed to fulfilling all its promises.
