New Delhi – Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday accused the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of leaving behind an empty treasury, but reassured the public that her administration will still implement the ₹2,500 monthly assistance scheme for women.

Gupta, a first-time MLA from Shalimar Bagh, emphasized that the scheme will be rolled out with detailed planning, ensuring proper execution despite financial challenges.

BJP’s Pre-Poll Promise to Women

Before the Delhi Assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had made several promises to financially assist women and pregnant mothers under its governance. These included:

• ₹2,500 per month for women from economically weaker sections under the Mahila Samriddhi Yojana
• ₹21,000 one-time assistance for pregnant women

The BJP had highlighted these schemes as key commitments in its election manifesto, and voters are now eagerly waiting for their implementation.

CM Rekha Gupta Slams AAP for Financial Mismanagement

During a press conference, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta revealed the dire financial condition of the Delhi government, stating that the state’s treasury has been depleted due to mismanagement by the previous AAP government.

“When we review the financial status with officials, the public exchequer appears completely empty. The Mahila Samriddhi Yojana is a long-term commitment to the women of Delhi. We will launch it with careful planning to ensure its sustainability,” she said.

Gupta also announced that the first session of the Delhi Assembly would soon begin, where all newly elected MLAs will take oath of office. The process will include:

• Election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker
• Swearing-in of pro tem speakers by the Lieutenant Governor on Monday

AAP’s Atishi Writes to Rekha Gupta Over Women’s Scheme

A day before Gupta’s press conference, AAP leader Atishi wrote a letter to the new CM, urging her to immediately begin discussions on the implementation of the ₹2,500 monthly assistance for women, as promised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the election campaign.

Atishi's letter followed the BJP’s first cabinet meeting on February 20, where the scheme was not discussed.

Gupta Hits Back at AAP and Congress

Responding sharply to Atishi’s letter, Gupta accused both the Congress and AAP of failing the people of Delhi during their rule.

“Congress ruled Delhi for 15 years, and after that, AAP took over… yet, they never addressed the real problems of the people. And now, just one day after we took office, they have started raising questions on our government,” she said.

She assured the public that her government is committed to fulfilling its promises and urged the opposition to allow time for proper planning instead of creating unnecessary hurdles.

First Assembly Session Expected to Be Heated

With the first session of the new government’s assembly beginning on Monday, political tensions are set to escalate. According to sources, the BJP legislative party has already strategized how to counter opposition attacks.

Key Issues BJP Plans to Highlight Against AAP

• Sheesh Mahal controversy (regarding alleged misuse of public funds for Kejriwal’s residence)
• Liquor scam involving former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia
• Yamuna pollution and cleaning failures
• Corruption allegations and the CAG report findings

Meanwhile, the opposition (AAP and Congress) is expected to attack the BJP government over:

• The delay in implementing the ₹2,500 monthly scheme for women
• BJP’s “unfulfilled promises” made during the election campaign

Given these brewing tensions, a highly charged debate is expected in the three-day assembly session,

Rekha Gupta has stepped into office at a time of political and financial turmoil, but she remains firm in her commitment to delivering on BJP’s promises. While the AAP and Congress have started questioning her government’s ability to deliver, Gupta has assured that detailed planning is underway to launch the much-awaited Mahila Samriddhi Yojana.

With a stormy assembly session on the horizon, the coming days will test the governance capabilities of the new BJP-led Delhi administration.