By: Express News ServiceNew Delhi | October 13, 2025 03:00 AM IST 2 min readLESS THAN a year after she succeeded BJP stalwart Sushma Swaraj as the second woman leader from the party to be elevated to the post of Delhi Chief Minister, Rekha Gupta is being considered for what insiders term “a leading role” in her first national assignment: canvassing for NDA candidates in Bihar Assembly polls. Though she is well-versed with organisational activities, having been a part of the BJP’s national executive, this time, as the sole woman CM of a BJP-ruled Union Territory in the country, Gupta is likely to be among the key leaders promoting the party’s women-centric poll plank in Bihar.Outsider OutshinesKarnataka MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal, who was expelled from the BJP for “indiscipline”, has suddenly become a talking point in the party circles. According to BJP insiders, Yatnal is the only opposition leader who is taking on the ruling Congress aggressively at a time when it is facing crisis after crisis. He was the first to question the Siddaramaiah government’s invitation to Booker winner Bhanu Mushtaq for Mysuru Dasara celebrations, an issue emotionally close to people in south Karnataka, the insiders said, adding that the Karnataka BJP has been lax in attacking the state government. Some attributed it to the delay in revamping the state unit, which is due for months, as the central leadership is yet to finalise the face to lead the BJP in its southern bastion.Marathon LessonsSpeaking at a virtual town hall earlier this month, UPSC Chairman Ajay Kumar told students preparing for competitive exams that consistency was the key to success. Giving the example of a race, since he is a runner himself, he said it was important to just keep taking the next step. On Sunday, Kumar walked the talk by participating and completing the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was also among thousands of participants running the marathon.© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:Bihar Assembly elections