Rekha Gupta will take oath as the next Chief Minister of Delhi, with Parvesh Verma as Deputy CM. This follows the BJP's sweeping victory in the February 5 Assembly elections, ending the AAP's decade-long rule. Gupta will replace Atishi and lead the new BJP government, which secured 48 out of 70 seats. A grand oath ceremony is scheduled for tomorrow at Ramlila Maidan, attended by top BJP leaders and celebrities. The BJP government has promised several welfare schemes, including financial assistance for women, senior citizens, and free healthcare initiatives.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will announce Delhi’s new chief minister today. A meeting of BJP’s elected MLAs will decide the leader. The swearing-in ceremony is set for February 20 at Ramlila Maidan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top leaders will attend. Security has been tightened, with over 25,000 personnel deployed. Traffic restrictions are in place to manage the crowd. Reports suggest a woman MLA could be chosen as CM. The final decision will be made after discussions with the party’s leadership. Preparations for the grand event are in full swing.

The BJP has started its Yamuna cleanup drive in Delhi before forming the new government. Skimming machines are removing waste, and sewage treatment plants will be upgraded. The party had promised a clean Yamuna during elections, accusing AAP of failing to deliver. “We will clean Yamuna and make it Delhi’s identity,” BJP leaders said. The plan includes debris removal, better sewage treatment, and stricter waste disposal rules. Political fights between AAP and BJP have delayed past efforts. Now, with BJP’s victory, Delhiites hope for real change. All eyes are on whether Yamuna will finally be cleaned.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticized Uttar Pradesh’s handling of Maha Kumbh Mela, calling it “Mrityu Kumbh” over the January 29 stampede deaths. She alleged VIP favoritism and poor facilities for common devotees. The BJP slammed Banerjee, accusing her of insulting Hindu traditions and demanding a “strong protest.” BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari called it an “attack on Hindus,” while Amit Malviya accused Banerjee of appeasement politics. At least 30 people died in the stampede at Prayagraj’s sacred confluence, with reports of another unconfirmed incident. Separately, 18 pilgrims were killed in a New Delhi railway station stampede.

The Congress party has strongly opposed the appointment of Gyanesh Kumar as India’s Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), alleging that the government bypassed Supreme Court scrutiny in the selection process. Kumar, a former bureaucrat, was chosen under a revised system that excludes the Chief Justice of India from the selection panel, a change criticized for undermining transparency. The opposition claims this move compromises the Election Commission’s independence. Congress leaders argue that the appointment reflects the ruling party’s intent to exert control over electoral processes ahead of the upcoming general elections. The controversy has sparked a broader debate on institutional integrity.

Anurag Rastogi, a senior IAS officer, is expected to be appointed as the new Chief Secretary of Haryana. The state government is preparing for the transition, and the announcement is expected soon. Rastogi’s potential appointment follows the retirement of the current chief secretary, who has held the position for a considerable time. With his extensive experience in various administrative roles,w Rastogi is seen as a capable candidate to lead Haryana’s bureaucracy effectively.  

The Congress party has raised concerns over the selection of a new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) while the Supreme Court is set to hear a challenge regarding the appointment law on February 22. Rahul Gandhi, after attending a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to select a successor to Rajiv Kumar, submitted a dissent note. Congress argues that the meeting should be postponed until the court’s decision. The ruling government is accused of attempting to exert control over the Election Commission. Gyanesh Kumar is expected to be appointed as CEC based on seniority.  

The Congress party has called for the postponement of the meeting to select the next Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), scheduled on February 17, 2025, until the Supreme Court's ruling on February 19 regarding the constitution of the selection committee. Congress leaders claim the government's exclusion of the Chief Justice from the panel signals an intent to control the Election Commission. As Rajiv Kumar is set to retire, Gyanesh Kumar will assume the position of senior-most election commissioner, with his tenure lasting until 2029. The government recently formed a search committee to streamline CEC selection.    

The Congress party distanced itself from Sam Pitroda’s comments on China. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said Pitroda’s views do not reflect the party’s stance. He called China India’s biggest foreign policy and security challenge. Pitroda, head of the Congress’ overseas unit, had said the China threat is exaggerated. He urged for collaboration instead of confrontation. The BJP criticised Pitroda’s remarks, calling them harmful to India's global image. Party spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi claimed the comments showed Congress' mindset and made India look like the aggressor.

Sam Pitroda, Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress, downplayed the India-China tensions, stating they are often exaggerated and result from a confrontational approach. He argued that collaboration, rather than confrontation, should be the focus, as ongoing hostility can create unnecessary enemies. In response, BJP spokespersons criticized Pitroda's stance, pointing out historical land concessions and alleging ties between Congress and China through a 2008 MOU. During a joint press conference, US President Trump expressed hope for improved US-China relations, and offered to mediate on India-China border disputes, emphasizing diplomatic cooperation to ease global conflicts, including Russia-Ukraine tensions.