Swati Singh’s Role in the Campaign
Swati Singh, Verma’s wife and daughter of former Union Minister Vikram Verma, was an active presence throughout the campaign. She participated in public engagements, rallies, and community events, helping Verma connect with voters on a personal level. Her involvement particularly resonated with women and families, adding a family-centric element to the BJP’s political message. Speaking after the victory, she said, “This win is a testament to the trust the people have placed in Parvesh Verma’s leadership and BJP’s commitment to development.”
Verma’s Political Journey and Background
Born on 7 November 1977, Parvesh 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. His uncle, Azad Singh, has also played a role in Delhi politics, serving as mayor of the North Delhi Municipal Corporation. Verma completed his schooling at Delhi Public School, RK Puram, pursued higher education at Kirori Mal College, and later earned an MBA from the Fore School of Management.
Verma entered politics in 2013, winning the Mehrauli Assembly seat by defeating Congress leader Yoganand Shastri. He later transitioned to national politics, winning the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections from West Delhi with record-breaking margins. In 2024, he opted out of the parliamentary elections, focusing instead on state politics.
Verma’s Family Reacts to the Victory
Following the announcement of the results, Verma’s family expressed their joy and appreciation. His daughter, Sanidhi, told ANI, “We all are very happy. I thank the people of New Delhi for giving us a chance to serve them for the next five years. We have always accepted the roles entrusted to him by the party, and this time too, we will do so happily.”
His other daughter, Trisha, took a direct swipe at AAP’s governance, stating, “We thank the people of New Delhi for their support. The people of Delhi will never repeat the mistake of giving a second chance to someone who governs by telling lies. We always knew there would be a clear-cut victory—we were just waiting for the right time. This time, the people of Delhi did not let lies win.”
BJP’s Strong Performance in Delhi
The BJP performed strongly across Delhi, leading in 45 out of 70 assembly seats. The party has been out of power in the national capital since 1998, while AAP had secured landslide victories in both the 2015 and 2020 elections. This time, voter sentiment appeared to shift in BJP’s favour. Delhi, home to 1.55 crore eligible voters, recorded a voter turnout of 60.54% in the elections held on 5 February.
BJP’s Vision for Delhi
Speaking about his priorities, Verma credited BJP’s success to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “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 ₹2500 to women, create an SIT to investigate corruption, develop the Yamuna riverfront, reduce pollution, and tackle traffic congestion. We will build such a capital that everyone will be proud of.”
On being asked about BJP’s chief ministerial candidate, Verma responded, “In our party, the legislative party decides (the CM’s face) and then the party leadership approves it. So the party’s decision will be acceptable to everyone.”
BJP Workers Celebrate Victory
As the results were announced, BJP workers and supporters gathered at the party’s headquarters in New Delhi, celebrating with firecrackers, music, and dance. Party leaders credited the victory to strategic campaigning, which targeted AAP’s governance record, including issues like the alleged toxicity in the Yamuna River and the renovation of Kejriwal’s official residence.
With BJP’s resurgence in Delhi, attention will now turn to how the party plans to govern and implement its promises, as it eyes a long-awaited return to power in the national capital.
