Newly elected Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta made a striking statement ahead of her oath-taking ceremony by wearing a saree adorned with Madhubani paintings, a traditional art form from Bihar. Her choice of attire has drawn praise from BJP leaders in Bihar, who called it a proud representation of the state’s rich culture and heritage.
A Cultural Statement Through Attire
Rekha Gupta, who represents the Shalimar Bagh Assembly constituency, is set to take the oath as Delhi’s Chief Minister today at Ramleela Maidan. Ahead of the ceremony, a picture of her donning a Madhubani painting saree was shared by Bihar BJP on social media platform X.
Bihar BJP’s official handle posted, “Leadership in Delhi, pride of Bihar in attire. The newly elected Chief Minister Rekha Gupta met the Honorable Lieutenant Governor wearing a Madhubani painting saree while staking claim to form the government. This is not just a garment; it is a symbol of Bihar and Purvanchal’s art, culture, and heritage, which continues to shine across the country.”
Several BJP leaders from Bihar extended their congratulations to Gupta, emphasizing that her attire symbolizes a deep cultural connection between Delhi and Bihar.
A Leader with Strong Roots
Gupta, originally from Haryana, has had an active political career, beginning with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). She also served as the President of the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) before entering mainstream politics. On Wednesday, during a BJP legislative meeting, she was elected as the leader of the legislative party, making her Delhi’s next Chief Minister.
Madhubani Painting: A Tradition in Indian Politics
Gupta is not the first political figure to make a cultural statement through Madhubani art. Earlier this year, on February 1, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also wore a Madhubani painting saree while presenting the Union Budget. She donned a cream-colored saree with a golden border, a special gift from Padma Shri awardee and renowned Madhubani artist Dulari Devi from Bihar.
Sitharaman had received the saree during her visit to Madhubani last year, further cementing the traditional art form’s recognition at a national level.
Oath-Taking Ceremony at Ramleela Maidan
Gupta will take the oath as Delhi’s new Chief Minister today, with Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena administering the ceremony. Several newly elected MLAs will also be sworn in as ministers. Her leadership marks a new chapter for Delhi, and her choice of attire highlights her commitment to embracing and showcasing India’s diverse cultural heritage.