Delhi Could Witness Three BJP Chief Ministers Over the Next Five Years, Predicts Gopal Rai
Gopal Rai, senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and former Delhi minister, slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for its prolonged indecision regarding the selection of a Chief Minister in Delhi. He expressed concerns that, similar to the BJP’s previous tenure, Delhi could see the appointment of three different Chief Ministers over the next five years due to internal divisions within the party.
BJP Struggling to Name a Leader
Despite securing a convincing electoral victory, the BJP has failed to appoint a Chief Minister for Delhi, a delay that Rai believes highlights the ongoing struggles within the party. “Even after ten days, they still can’t decide on a CM, which shows they don’t have a clear leader,” said Gopal Rai, according to news agency PTI. He emphasized that the delay was a reflection of the party’s internal turmoil and lack of unity.
Rai compared the situation to the BJP’s previous term in Delhi, where the party had three different Chief Ministers: Madan Lal Khurana, Sahib Singh Verma, and Sushma Swaraj. He warned that history could repeat itself, with BJP’s internal factions making it difficult for any leader to maintain control.
AAP’s Commitment to Strong Opposition
Rai made it clear that the AAP would continue to provide strong opposition to the BJP and ensure that the promises made during the elections were upheld. He also criticized the BJP for its reliance on various tactics during the campaign, including working with the Election Commission. “Despite all their efforts, the people of Delhi chose to stand with us, and we are grateful for that,” Rai stated, emphasizing that the AAP would fight for the people of Delhi despite the BJP’s victory.
BJP’s Internal Struggles and Delayed CM Decision
The prolonged delay in announcing the Chief Minister has intensified speculation about the internal divisions within the BJP. Rai claimed that whoever is appointed as the CM will face significant opposition from other factions within the party. “The delay in choosing a CM shows the many factions within the BJP. Whoever takes the post will face challenges from other groups within the party, and history could repeat itself,” he remarked.
In response to the BJP’s indecision, AAP has decided to begin its work in earnest. Rai mentioned that AAP had been waiting for the BJP to make its decision, but now the party is moving forward with its plans. “Since they haven’t chosen a CM, we are starting our work now,” said Rai.
AAP to Decide Leader of Opposition After BJP’s Announcement
Once the BJP announces its Chief Minister and cabinet members, AAP will finalize its decision on the Leader of Opposition. This marks the beginning of a new phase in Delhi politics, as the AAP looks to strengthen its position and hold the BJP accountable.
A Historical Context of BJP’s Rule in Delhi
This will be the first time in 26 years that the BJP will form a government in Delhi. The last time the BJP held power in the city was in 1993, when it had three different Chief Ministers in quick succession. The ongoing political contest between AAP and BJP has only grown more intense with each passing day, and with the BJP yet to announce its Chief Minister, internal conflicts continue to fuel political speculations.
In the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, BJP won 48 seats, while AAP secured 22. The results were announced on February 8, following the elections held on February 5. The BJP’s victory ended AAP’s decade-long dominance in Delhi, where AAP had won 62 out of 70 seats in 2020, leaving BJP with just eight.
