The swearing-in ceremony of the BJP government in Delhi is likely to take place on February 19 or 20, with the new administration prioritising clean drinking water, improved civic infrastructure, and pollution control, according to party leaders.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently on a foreign visit, is expected to return soon, after which observers for the BJP Legislature Party meeting will be appointed. Manjinder Singh Sirsa, newly-elected BJP MLA and national secretary, told PTI that the new government will begin functioning around February 19-20.

“The new government will start working around February 19-20,” said Sirsa, the Rajouri Garden MLA, who is considered a contender for the Chief Minister’s post or a ministerial position. He added that the BJP legislature party meeting is likely to be held around February 18-19, followed by the swearing-in ceremony by February 20.

The newly elected BJP MLAs dismissed speculation about a race for the Chief Minister’s post, emphasizing that the party follows a democratic process to elect its leader. “There is no race for the post of Delhi Chief Minister. In our party, the CM or the leader of the legislature party is elected in a meeting of the MLAs,” said Abhay Verma, second-time MLA from Laxmi Nagar and a Purvanchali leader, who is also seen as a potential candidate for the top post.

Verma highlighted the government’s focus on addressing key issues such as development, clean water supply, air quality, and Yamuna pollution. “We have come to serve the people and are now thinking about addressing issues like development, clean water supply, and clean air for the people, as well as how to free the Yamuna from pollution,” he said.

The BJP MLAs also reiterated their commitment to implementing the Ayushman Bharat health scheme, which was previously obstructed by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. Prime Minister Modi has already announced that the health insurance scheme will be rolled out in Delhi through the first meeting of the new Cabinet.

Sirsa outlined the new government’s priorities for its first 100 days, including providing clean drinking water, ensuring sanitation, and tackling air and Yamuna pollution. “Providing clean drinking water, ensuring sanitation in the city, and starting work to deal with air and Yamuna pollution will be priorities of the new government within 100 days in power,” he said.

Mohan Singh Bisht, a sixth-time MLA from Mustafabad, emphasized that the new Chief Minister will be elected from among the 48 BJP legislators. Bisht also reiterated his proposal to rename the minority-dominated constituency to “Shiv Vihar” or “Shiv Puri,” citing public sentiment. “There are around 42% people of one community (minorities) and on the other hand are 58% people (Hindus)… So, the public sentiment must be respected,” he said.

Bisht added that the BJP government will address Yamuna pollution by setting up sewage treatment plants (STPs) to treat wastewater from 28 major drains flowing into the river.

As the BJP prepares to take charge of Delhi after a 27-year gap, the focus remains on delivering on its promises of development, improved infrastructure, and environmental sustainability.

A U.S. plane carrying 119 illegal Indian immigrants is scheduled to land at Amritsar airport on February 15, marking the second such deportation by the Trump administration since it assumed office last month. The move is part of a broader crackdown on illegal immigration initiated by the U.S. government.

According to official sources, the flight is expected to arrive around 10 p.m. on Saturday. Among the deportees, 67 are from Punjab, 33 from Haryana, eight from Gujarat, three from Uttar Pradesh, two each from Goa, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan, and one each from Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. Another U.S. plane carrying deportees is also expected to land on February 16.

This development follows the arrival of a U.S. military aircraft last week, which brought back 104 illegal Indian immigrants, including 33 each from Haryana and Gujarat and 30 from Punjab. Many of the deportees from Punjab had shared that they migrated to the U.S. in search of a better life for their families but were caught at the border and returned in shackles.

Since President Donald Trump took office, U.S. law enforcement agencies have intensified efforts to curb illegal immigration. Many of the deportees had entered the U.S. through “donkey routes”—illegal and risky pathways used by migrants—or other unlawful means, often spending lakhs of rupees in the process.

The issue has sparked political reactions in India, with Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema accusing the BJP-led central government of targeting Punjab. “The BJP-led Central government wants to defame Punjab. Why does it not land in Gujarat, Haryana, or Delhi?” Cheema said on Thursday, questioning the focus on Amritsar for deportations.

In response to the growing number of deportations, the Punjab government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe illegal human trafficking. The SIT has already registered 10 FIRs against fraudulent immigration consultants based on statements from deportees, a senior police official confirmed.

The deportations have also drawn attention to the harsh conditions faced by the returnees, with reports of them being brought back in shackles sparking outrage. The U.S. government’s stringent measures have left many Indian families in distress, as their dreams of a better life abroad are shattered.

As the second batch of deportees prepares to return, the issue highlights the challenges faced by migrants and the need for stricter regulation of illegal immigration networks. The Punjab government’s efforts to address human trafficking and hold fraudulent agents accountable are seen as crucial steps in tackling the root causes of the problem.

Rajiv Kumar’s tenure as Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India is officially coming to an end, and the process of selecting his successor is about to begin. According to sources, the selection panel, which will include Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, is expected to meet soon, possibly by Monday.

The new CEC will be responsible for overseeing crucial elections, including those in Bihar later this year, and the general elections in states like Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, and Kerala in the coming years.

A turbulent tenure for Rajiv Kumar

Kumar’s time as CEC, since his appointment in May 2022, has not been without controversy. During his tenure, opposition parties, particularly Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), repeatedly raised concerns about the Election Commission’s impartiality. Allegations of bias towards the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were frequently made, especially ahead of critical elections like the Delhi assembly election.

The most vocal of critics was AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, who, just before the Delhi election, accused the Election Commission of “surrendering before the BJP.” Despite these claims, Kumar dismissed the charges, asserting that the Election Commission operated in an unbiased manner, with robust systems in place to prevent fraud.

Key moments under Rajiv Kumar’s leadership

Under Rajiv Kumar’s leadership, several high-profile elections were conducted. He oversaw the 2022 Lok Sabha election, Jammu and Kashmir’s first assembly poll in over a decade, as well as multiple state elections, including in Karnataka, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Each of these polls saw both major political parties – Congress and BJP – emerge victorious in different states.

Kumar also presided over the 2022 and 2023 presidential elections, a key responsibility for the Election Commission. Despite the controversies that marked his tenure, he confidently asserted the integrity of the election process, particularly regarding the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs), which he defended against claims of manipulation.

Plans after retirement

In January, when announcing the dates for the Delhi elections, Kumar humorously mentioned his plans to “detoxify” himself after retirement by spending several months in solitude in the Himalayas. A 1984-batch IAS officer from the Bihar/Jharkhand cadre, Kumar also expressed his desire to give back to society by teaching underprivileged children.

The road ahead: Selection of the next CEC

The selection of the next CEC comes at a pivotal time, as the Election Commission prepares for several major elections in the coming years. The process will begin a day before the Supreme Court hears petitions challenging a new law regarding the selection of the CEC and other Election Commissioners. Critics argue that this law gives the central government too much control over the process.

As Rajiv Kumar steps down, the search for a new Chief Election Commissioner will soon be underway. The chosen successor will play a critical role in ensuring the integrity of India’s elections and maintaining the trust of the public in the democratic process.