Verma’s daughter, when asked whether her father would be the next CM, responded with poise, stating, “The party will decide who will be CM.” Her response was in stark contrast to similar scenarios in other states. Before winning elections in Haryana, Deepender Singh Hooda had claimed, “My father will become CM.” Before the Maharashtra elections, Aaditya Thackeray similarly stated, “My father will be CM.” However, after BJP’s victory in Delhi, Verma’s daughter kept her response measured, emphasising the party’s decision-making process.
Verma Credits BJP Leadership and PM Modi
Shortly after his win, Verma took to X (formerly Twitter) to post ‘Jai Shri Ram,’ celebrating the BJP’s success in Delhi. “The darkness went away, the sun rose, the lotus bloomed. Delhi has chosen development. This victory is of Delhi’s faith, this victory is for the future of Delhi. I am grateful to our illustrious Prime Minister respected Shri Narendra Modi ji, Home Minister Shri Amit Shah ji, and National President Shri JP Nadda ji for their leadership and the hard work of each and every worker of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the trust of the people of Delhi. Congratulations to all the people of Delhi for this new dawn of Delhi!” Verma wrote.
Who Will Be Delhi’s Next CM?
As speculation mounted over BJP’s chief ministerial candidate, Verma maintained that the decision rested with the party leadership. “In our party, the legislative party decides (CM’s face), and then the party leadership approves it. So the party’s decision will be acceptable to everyone,” he said.
Verma emphasised that his focus remained on fulfilling the BJP’s promises to Delhi. “I thank the voters of New Delhi, lakhs of hard-working workers, and PM Narendra Modi. This is truly his victory. People have expressed their trust in him. Our priority will be to give ₹2,500 to women, create an SIT to investigate corruption, develop the Yamuna riverfront, reduce pollution, and alleviate traffic congestion. We will build a capital that everyone will be proud of.”
Arvind Kejriwal Concedes Defeat
As the election results unfolded, AAP chief and outgoing CM Arvind Kejriwal conceded defeat, acknowledging the people’s mandate. “We accept people’s mandate with humility, and I congratulate the BJP for its victory. I also hope that it will fulfil the expectations of the people of Delhi,” Kejriwal said in a video message.
Reflecting on his government’s work, he added, “We have done a lot of work in education, water, electricity, and infrastructure to provide relief to Delhiites. In the next five years, the AAP will not only play the role of a constructive opposition but will also be available to the people of Delhi.”
BJP’s Resurgence in Delhi
The election results marked a significant shift in Delhi’s political landscape. The BJP, which had been out of power in the city since 1998, made a dramatic comeback, leading in 47 out of 70 assembly seats. The AAP, which had dominated Delhi politics for a decade, securing landslide victories in 2015 and 2020, suffered a major setback, securing only 23 seats.
Who is Parvesh Verma?
Born on 7 November 1977, Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma hails from a politically influential family. His father, the late Sahib Singh Verma, was a former Chief Minister of Delhi and a senior BJP leader. Verma completed his education at Delhi Public School, RK Puram, before earning a degree from Kirori Mal College, Delhi University, and an MBA from the Fore School of Management.
Verma entered politics in 2013, defeating Congress leader Yoganand Shastri in Mehrauli. He later transitioned to national politics, winning the 2014 Lok Sabha election from West Delhi. He retained his seat in 2019, securing a record-breaking victory margin of 578,486 votes over Congress candidate Mahabal Mishra. However, he was denied a BJP ticket for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Undeterred, he shifted focus to the Delhi Assembly Elections, ultimately defeating Arvind Kejriwal in New Delhi.
Verma’s Rise in BJP and CM Prospects
Despite not being named as the BJP’s CM face, Verma emerged as one of the party’s most formidable figures in Delhi politics. He aggressively led the BJP’s campaign, attacking the AAP on issues such as pollution, infrastructure, and governance. He also championed BJP’s allegations against Kejriwal’s administration, particularly on the controversial ‘Sheeshmahal’ expenditure and Yamuna pollution.
Following his victory, Verma signalled that a probe into the AAP government was imminent. “A Special Investigation Team will be formed in the first Cabinet to investigate all corruption during Kejriwal’s tenure,” he declared.
While Verma’s victory has positioned him as a key player in Delhi politics, the decision on the BJP’s chief ministerial candidate remains in the hands of the party leadership. With Delhi’s political tides shifting, all eyes are now on the BJP’s next move as it prepares to govern the national capital after more than two decades in opposition.
