Delhi needs a transformational BJP CM

BJP’s Delhi win: A chance to prove superior governance

BJP’s electoral win in Delhi is an opportunity to reset Delhi’s governance and prove that BJP-led administration can deliver far superior results compared to AAP’s pretense of governance and hypocrisy.

For the BJP, eliminating AAP and Arvind Kejriwal’s influence from Delhi is not just a political necessity but a strategic advantage, as Delhi also happens to be India’s capital.

Kejriwal’s model has been based on populist freebies, media-driven narratives, and allegations, rather than genuine governance improvements. By delivering better governance, the BJP can dismantle AAP’s ambitions of entitlement once and for all.

Though Kejriwal and AAP may have been exposed for their own corrupt acts, they have gained the sympathy and support of many among minorities, poor, and women, and this has the potential to pose some political problems to the BJP.

Winning the Delhi elections is only the beginning. As I had outlined in my article “A Big Hope Can Win Delhi for BJP“[1], what truly matters is governance that addresses Delhi’s real challenges, rather than just political rhetoric.

The ultimate aim of the BJP should be to make the people of Delhi conclude, without a doubt, that BJP’s governance is far superior to AAP’s.

The real issues: A roadmap for BJP in Delhi

As I had highlighted in my article[1], Delhi needs a government that focuses on:

1. Pollution control: AAP’s band-aid solutions like the odd-even scheme have failed to address the core problem of Delhi which has gained the dubious distinction of being the most polluted and unliveable city. At least the BJP must implement genuine, long-term solutions, like STPs, ETPs, solid waste management, and city afforestation.
2. Water and electricity supply: AAP has mismanaged Delhi’s water resources (esp failing to clean up the Narmada River) and implemented non-transparent electricity subsidies. BJP must bring in accountability, water conservation programs, and sustainable power distribution.
3. Law and order: Crime remains a major concern. Stronger enforcement of laws, better coordination with Delhi Police, and technology-driven surveillance are essential. Opposition is likely to orchestrate agitations (like farmers’, religious, etc) and the CM should be shrewd in handling them, not easy for everyone.
4. Education and healthcare: AAP’s much-hyped school and Mohalla Clinic models are largely media-driven, lacking real impact. BJP must focus on true scholastic excellence, better infrastructure, and hospital modernization.
5. Urban infrastructure: Delhi’s roads, traffic congestion, drainage, and public transport need large-scale improvement. The Metro expansion and road network must be prioritized with long-term urban planning.
6. Corruption-free governance: AAP’s governance has been marred by allegations of corruption, liquor scams, living in style, and financial mismanagement. BJP must ensure absolute transparency, efficiency, and accountability in governance.

Some out-of-the-box strategic ideas are required to handle all the above challenges which are not easy to tackle. I had given one such suggestion, viz., decentralizing the national capital across multiple cities in one of my previous articles.[2]

BJP must deliver on these priorities with a focus on administration, not just politics. A good CM will be critical for achieving this.

Choosing the right CM: A decision that will shape Delhi’s future

In fact, the choice of Delhi CM is different from the choice of CM candidates of other states.

There will be the temptation to select one of the key leaders who led the BJP to victory, like Parvesh Verma, Ramesh Bidhuri, Harish Khurana, or Abhay Verma as the CM. Since the BJP has already won the Delhi Assembly elections, the choice of the CM need not be based on winnability, political correctness, etc.

To execute the vision for Delhi, the BJP must choose a CM with strong administrative experience, someone who is result-oriented and self-driven (not heavily dependent on the PM’s charisma); political savviness is secondary.

One of the above can be picked as Deputy CM and trained under a CM who is most likely to deliver the best possible results for Delhi. After a period of 3 years or so of good governance and delivery of results, the Deputy CM can be made the CM on the condition that if he doesn’t measure up, the original CM could be reinstated.

The following leaders stand out as possible good immediate CM choices for Delhi:

1. Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma (CM of Assam)

Why? He successfully transformed Assam’s governance with strong law enforcement, infrastructure upgrades, and corruption control. Delhi needs an equally bold leader. If there is any thought of giving him a higher responsibility, this may be a good idea, though he may be required more in Assam and to oversee North East.

2. Manoj Sinha (Lt. Governor of J&K, former Union Minister)

Why? His tenure in J&K shows his ability to govern effectively in a complex environment. He can bring the same discipline and efficiency to Delhi. This is only BJP is considering a different person for J&K as Governor.

3. Suresh Prabhu (former Railway, Commerce, and Power Minister)

Why? A proven reformer with a clean image who modernized Indian Railways and improved national infrastructure. Delhi’s urban governance challenges make him a strong contender.

4. Kiran Bedi (former LG of Puducherry, ex-IPS officer)

Why? A clean, no-nonsense administrator with a policing background, she can bring strict governance and accountability to Delhi.

5. Hardeep Singh Puri (Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs, former diplomat)

Why? A specialist in urban planning and infrastructure, he has played a key role in the smart cities mission and metro expansion, critical for Delhi’s future.

There are many others, but most of them may be overkill for this task.

Beyond victory: BJP must set a new benchmark in governance

For BJP, this election must not be seen as about just defeating AAP, it must be about proving, beyond doubt, that BJP’s governance is superior. The focus should be on efficiency, execution, and credibility.

Being the capital of India, Delhi’s governance should reflect the best of what the country can offer. A well-managed Delhi can become a model for urban development across India.

Now, it is up to the BJP leadership to make the right choice of CM and transform Delhi’s governance permanently. This is the moment to turn hope into real progress.

Note:
1. Text in Blue points to additional data on the topic.
2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.

References:

[1] A big hope can win Delhi for BJP – Jan 23, 2025, PGurus.com

[2] Decentralizing India’s National Capital: To tackle Delhi’s pollution & many other problems – Nov 21, 2024, PGurus.com

For all the latest updates, download PGurus App.

The post Delhi needs a transformational BJP CM appeared first on PGurus.