Archana Gupta formally assumed charge as the Haryana BJP president on Wednesday, only the second woman to occupy the post in more than four decades, with the party describing it as a reflection of its commitment to ‘nari shakti’.
“No responsibility is big or small… In BJP, the sky is the limit. It is only in BJP that a booth president can become the chief minister, a Union minister. A tea seller’s son can become the prime minster… an ordinary worker… can become the state president,” she said while addressing a gathering at the party’s Haryana headquarters in Panchkula.
Gupta, who assumed charge in the presence of senior party leaders, including Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, and her family members, urged party members to fulfil their responsibility with honesty and dedication, and said she will always be available for them and the people of Haryana.
Saini, while referring to Gupta being the second woman president of Haryana BJP, said it serves as a reflection of a transforming Haryana — one where women are not merely participating, but are actively leading.
“This represents the true form of the ‘New India’ taking shape under the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that Indian culture has always revered women as the embodiment of ‘Shakti’ (divine power). However, for many years, women’s participation in politics remained limited.
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the nation has witnessed a transformative shift in this status quo. The Prime Minister has not merely spoken of women’s dignity; he has actively worked to place women at the very centre of the decision-making process,” Saini said.
The ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ campaign, which was launched by PM Modi from Haryana in 2015, has transformed the societal mindset towards daughters across the country, the chief minister said, adding that women are excelling in every field and making the nation proud.
Saini said BJP in Haryana is receiving “new leadership, new energy, a new resolve and a new direction”.
Gupta, a doctor by profession (radiologist), was appointed as the party’s Haryana unit chief on May 28.
Kamla Verma, a veteran BJP leader, served as the first woman president of BJP’s Haryana unit from 1980 to 1983.
Gupta took over from Mohan Lal Badoli. Earlier, she served as Panipat District Mahila Morcha president.
At the time of her appointment as the party’s state unit chief, she was Haryana BJP state general secretary.
In his address, the chief minister observed that a successful state president does not merely expand the organisation but also connects with the hearts and minds of the party workers.
Such a leader honours the contribution of every booth-level worker and ensures that the organisation’s outreach extends to every section of society, Nayab Saini said.
The new state president, imbued with this very spirit, will lead the organisation to new heights and, under her leadership, BJP will reach every village, ward and booth in Haryana, the CM said.
Union Minister of State and Gurugram MP, Rao Inderjit Singh, said that the hard work of workers ensured BJP’s win for the third consecutive term in Haryana.
In a lighter vein, he said, “Archana ji, aapko ye paki pakayi kheti mile hai, zyada aap logon ko mashakat nahi karne padegi.”
Singh said that workers only need due respect and there is no reason why the party will not emerge victorious in Haryana for the fourth time.
Gupta thanked her party leadership for entrusting her with the new responsibility and promised to live up to the expectations of her party.
Referring to BJP winning 48 of 90 Assembly seats in 2024 Haryana Assembly election, and five of 10 Lok Sabha seats the same year, Gupta said the party will put in more efforts where it lost so that these seats too are won in the next polls.
BJP national vice president Saudan Singh, Haryana affairs in-charge Satish Poonia, Haryana ministers Anil Vij, Shruti Choudhry, Arti Rao and Krishan Kumar Bedi, outgoing state BJP chief Mohan Lal Badoli, senior BJP leaders OP Dhankar and Subhash Barala were among those present.
