Delhi CM's businessman husband seen attending government meeting; AAP reacts
What's the story
A political controversy has erupted in Delhi after Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's husband, Manish Gupta, a businessman and a social worker, was spotted at an official meeting. The meeting was held on Sunday to review development projects in the Shalimar Bagh Assembly constituency. During the meeting, Gupta instructed officials to "regularly assess the progress of ongoing works in the area and submit detailed status reports within the stipulated timeframe."
Political backlash
AAP leader compares situation to 'Panchayat' web series
The incident drew criticism from opposition leaders, especially the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Saurabh Bharadwaj, AAP's in-charge, questioned why Gupta allowed her husband to attend the official meeting despite not being a part of the Delhi government. He called it "unconstitutional" and likened it to the fictional village of 'Phulera' from the web series 'Panchayat,' where a woman leader's husband wielded informal authority.
Twitter Post
Completely unconstitutional, says Bharadwaj
दिल्ली सरकार बनी फुलेरा पंचायत
— Saurabh Bharadwaj (@Saurabh_MLAgk) September 7, 2025
जैसे फुलेरा की पंचायत में महिला प्रधान के पति प्रधान की तरह काम करते थे , आज दिल्ली में CM के पति आधिकारिक मीटिंग में बैठ रहे हैं ।
हमने पहले भी बताया था कि CM आले पति आधिकारिक मीटिंग में बैठते हैं , अधिकारियों के साथ मीटिंग और इंस्पेक्शन करते… pic.twitter.com/40D3kz5OXU
Accusations made
Bharadwaj accuses BJP of dynastic politics
Bharadwaj also accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of practicing dynastic politics, asking if Gupta had no trusted workers left. He asked what work could only be done by a family member and why her husband was being given authority in this manner. Another AAP leader, Sanjay Singh, sarcastically welcomed everyone to "Phulera Panchayat," alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made two chief ministers in Delhi—Gupta as CM and her husband as "Super Chief Minister."
Leadership questioned
Congress also questions BJP, Harish Khurana responds
The Congress party also joined the fray, asking if it was Gupta or her husband who was running the Delhi government. The BJP, however, defended Manish's presence at the meeting. Delhi BJP leader Harish Khurana said there was "nothing wrong" with it, as he was looking after Shalimar Bagh constituencies as a social worker and led people's delegations. Khurana added that AAP is "frustrated" over this incident since it only involved one constituency where both live.