February 20, 2025: Veteran BJP leader Vijender Gupta, once a vocal opposition figure forcibly removed from the Delhi Assembly, has now taken charge as its Speaker. His appointment marks a significant political shift, as the BJP returns to power in Delhi after 27 years.

Gupta, a three-time MLA from Rohini, defeated AAP’s Pradeep Mittal by over 37,000 votes in the recent elections. His political journey has been one of resilience, having faced multiple setbacks, including a loss to Arvind Kejriwal in 2013. Despite that, he remained a prominent voice in the opposition, often clashing with the AAP government.

His experience in politics dates back to 1980 when he started with the Janata Vidyarthi Morcha. Over the years, he held key positions, including the presidency of BJP’s Delhi unit. His first electoral success came in 1997 as an MCD councillor, and he later emerged as a significant leader among Delhi’s trader community.

With both former Speaker Ram Niwas Goel and ex-Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal no longer in the Assembly, Gupta’s elevation to Speaker is being seen as a moment of poetic justice. From being marshalled out of the House to presiding over it, his journey highlights the changing political dynamics in the national capital.