New Delhi: As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) registers a clear victory in the Delhi Assembly Elections 2025 after 27 years, speculation regarding the party's chief minister candidates has begun. Despite crossing the majority mark, the BJP's top leaders and those seen as the probable CMs are tight-lipped about the top contenders.
According to analysts, the crucial decision about the top post lies with the highest leadership since it concerns the national capital, and the post brings more challenges than privileges.
However, they regard Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma as the primary candidate in the fight as he unseated AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal from the hot New Delhi seat. The constituency sent the majority of the chief ministers to the assembly from 1998 to 2020 as the winning party would appoint the victor of the New Delhi seat for the top post. ETV Bharat has compiled a list of the BJP's top prospects for the CM seat.
Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma
Former MP Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma, who defeated AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal in the New Delhi seat, is the top contender for the CM post. Verma, the son of former Delhi CM Sahib Singh Verma, has emerged as a giant killer.
Among the past Winners from New Delhi (previously Gol Market) Seat was Kirti Azad of BJP in 1993, Sheila Dixit of Congress (1998, 2003 and 2008), Arvind Kejriwal of AAP (2013, 2015, and 2020)
Vijender Gupta
The senior BJP leader has served as Delhi BJP chief and has been victorious from the Rohini seat since 2015. He also won the seat in 2020 and this time. Gupta is a key figure in Delhi’s politics and served as leader of the opposition in the assembly.
Manjinder Singh Sirsa
The BJP’s victorious candidate from the Rajouri Garden Vidhan Sabha constituency, defeating A Dhanwati Chandela A of AAP in the 2025 Delhi Assembly election. Sirsa is also a top name for the CM post in Delhi.
Haresh Khurana
The BJP candidate from the Moti Nagar constituency was pitted against AAP’s Shivcharan Goel. Son of senior BJP leader and former Delhi CM Madan Lal Khurana, Harish defeated the Goel in his electoral debut. Harish is a secretary of the BJP’s Delhi unit and has served in various roles in the organisation.
Ramesh Bidhuri
BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri, who made headlines earlier for controversial remarks, is among the top faces who can become the Chief Minister of Delhi, as he was fighting against AAP leader and Delhi CM Atishi.
Bansuri Swaraj
Bansuri Swaraj is a first-time MP and the daughter of late veteran BJP leader Sushma Swaraj. She is also a top contender for the CM’s post. Bansuri won the crucial New Delhi Lok Sabha seat, which was once held by former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Deputy PM LK Advani.
Smriti Irani
Smriti Irani, who defeated Rahul Gandhi in Amethi to become the giant killer in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. She was planning to run in the Delhi assembly poll and widely took part in the election campaigns. Now, she is also seen as a candidate for chief minister even though she did not receive the ticket.
Dushyant Gautam
The BJP’s National General Secretary and Dalit leader Dushyant Gautam is also among the frontrunners for the CM’s post. He has been pitted against AAP’s Vishesh Ravi in the Karol Bagh seat but lost by 7430 votes.
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