Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi with Bansuri Swaraj.Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi with Bansuri Swaraj.

In a significant political development, Bansuri Swaraj, daughter of the late Sushma Swaraj, is set to represent the New Delhi constituency in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, succeeding Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi. Meenakshi Lekhi, who has served as the incumbent for the New Delhi seat over the past decade, met with Bansuri Swaraj on Monday to facilitate a smooth transition of responsibilities.

Having represented the New Delhi constituency for the past decade, Meenakshi Lekhi’s name was notably absent from the BJP’s initial list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Nonetheless, she demonstrated her commitment to the party’s succession plan by extending support to Bansuri Swaraj.

Sharing a photograph of their meeting on social media, Meenakshi Lekhi expressed her confidence in Bansuri Swaraj’s ability to uphold the developmental works initiated during her tenure. Lekhi’s post read, “Met BJP’s New Delhi Lok Sabha 2024 candidate Sushri @BansuriSwaraj today and handed over the details of the developmental works undertaken in the last 10 years in my constituency (link attached). Passed on the baton to her for continued welfare of the residents of New Delhi.”

Bansuri Swaraj, a seasoned lawyer practicing at the Supreme Court, expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP chief JP Nadda, and party workers for entrusting her with the responsibility of representing the New Delhi seat. Her entry into active politics began last year when she assumed the role of co-convener of Delhi BJP’s Legal cell, swiftly ascending to the position of secretary within the state unit.

The BJP’s initial list of candidates comprised 195 names, featuring the replacement of four out of five sitting MPs in Delhi, reflecting the party’s strategic recalibration in the national capital.