BJP's newly-elected legislators are gearing up to elect the next Chief Minister of Delhi. Meanwhile, India Today has analyzed online discussions about potential candidates to replace the outgoing AAP CM, Atishi.
The BJP is expected to announce its candidate for Chief Minister on February 19. Parvesh Verma, former Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta, MLA Rekha Gupta, Satish Upadhyay, Ashish Sood, and Jitender Mahajan are among the leading contenders for the position.
Analysis of social media handles and online searches reveals that Parvesh Verma is a favored candidate for the Chief Minister position, ranking second in searches next to Rekha Gupta.
Exploring Delay in Delhi CM Selection and Ramlila Grounds Swearing-In with BJP Legislators
Buzz on Social Media
Since the February 8 Delhi Assembly election results, Parvesh Verma has seen the most significant growth in followers on social media. He boasts over 80,100 followers on Instagram and approximately 17,800 on X (formerly Twitter).
According to social media analytics firm Social Blade, Shalimar Bagh MLA Rekha Gupta added 632 followers on X and 975 on Instagram during this period.
Source: aajtak
Meanwhile, former Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta gained 416 followers on X, whereas Satish Upadhyay added 477 followers on the platform. During our analysis, BJP leader Ashish Sood attracted 420 followers on X and 1,054 on Instagram. Jitender Mahajan's numbers remain unavailable due to his limited social media presence.
Source: aajtak
Over the past seven days, Rekha Gupta has been the most talked-about potential CM candidate on X. Analytics firm Talkwalker reports that she was mentioned in over 2,300 posts, while Parvesh Verma appeared in 1,600 posts.
Preparations for Swearing-In of Delhi's New CM Underway
Data shows Vijender Gupta was mentioned in 844 posts on X, Satish Upadhyay in 518, and Ashish Sood in 335 posts.
Source: aajtak
Interest in Candidates Soars Online
Since February 8, internet users have been searching for life, career, age, and other information about BJP leaders considered for Delhi's chief ministership.
If online user interest is any metric, Parvesh Verma and Rekha Gupta remain top contenders for the Chief Minister position, though interest has fluctuated over time.
Source: aajtak
In the four days following February 8, Parvesh Verma was the most searched Delhi BJP leader on Google, followed by Rekha Gupta. However, searches for Rekha Gupta have surged in the past two days.
BJP's Strategy Meeting Scheduled for Wednesday
Having secured 48 seats, the BJP successfully ousted the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to regain power in the national capital after 27 years. Sources informed India Today that 15 names have been shortlisted, with nine to be selected for positions such as Chief Minister, state cabinet ministers, and speaker.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, BJP National President JP Nadda remarked, "Selecting Delhi's CM will not be difficult at all. The decision will be made in a 15-minute party leadership meeting."
The newly-elected BJP legislators will meet on Wednesday to choose the Chief Minister. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for the next day, February 20.
