Delhi's Last 5 Chief Ministers: A Data-Driven Comparison (1998-2026)
March 01, 2026
Disclaimer: This analysis is based on publicly available court judgments,
government records, and news reports as of March 1, 2026. Star ratings represent
the author's subjective assessment of governance outcomes. All corruption
allegations referenced have been adjudicated by competent courts. This post
constitutes fair comment on matters of public interest and is not intended to
defame any individual or political party.
A Data-Driven Analysis with Latest Judicial Verdicts | Updated: March 1, 2026
🚨 Critical Update (Feb 27, 2026): Arvind Kejriwal COMPLETELY ACQUITTED in Delhi Excise Policy case. Court found "no prima facie case" and ordered inquiry against CBI officers for "premeditated conspiracy".
1. SHEILA DIKSHIT (1998-2013) | INC | ★★★★☆ (3.1/5)
⚖️ Court Verdict (April 2025): ED closed CWG money laundering case — "no offence committed" after 15 years.
| ✅ ACHIEVEMENTS | ❌ FAILURES |
|---|---|
| Infrastructure: Delhi Metro, 100+ flyovers, Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway — "lasting imprint on the city" | 2012 Gangrape Crisis: "Blown out of proportion" comment; deflected responsibility to Centre |
| Environmental: Massive CNG bus conversion, "Green Delhi" campaign | Women's Safety: Delhi remained unsafe despite 181 helpline |
| Judicially Cleared: April 2025 — "no offence" in CWG case | Electoral Defeat: 15-year tenure led to voter fatigue; 2013 loss to AAP |
Verdict: The "architect of modern Delhi." Metro legacy endures. CWG case closure vindicates integrity, though 2012 crisis response was poor.
2. ARVIND KEJRIWAL (2013-2024) | AAP | ★★★★☆ (3.6/5) ⭐ TOP RATED
⚖️ Complete Acquittal (Feb 27, 2026):
- "No material to show conspiratorial meeting"
- "No criminal intent" in policy
- Investigation was "premeditated and choreographed"
- CBI officers face departmental inquiry
| ✅ ACHIEVEMENTS | ❌ FAILURES |
|---|---|
| Education Revolution: "Happiness Curriculum," modern schools, internationally recognized by The Lancet | Confrontation: Perpetual conflict with Centre/LG paralyzed administration |
| Mohalla Clinics: 450+ neighborhood health centers, globally praised model | Resignation Drama: First term only 49 days (2013-2014) |
| JUDICIALLY VINDICATED: Feb 2026 — "Biggest political conspiracy" exposed; integrity certified | Electoral Cost: Forced to resign 2024; AAP lost 2025 elections during legal battles |
Verdict: Completely vindicated by judiciary. Education/health transformation is enduring legacy. Corruption allegations definitively debunked.
3. ATISHI MARLENA (Sept 2024 - Feb 2025) | AAP | ★★☆☆☆ (2.0/5)
| ✅ ACHIEVEMENTS | ❌ FAILURES |
|---|---|
| Smooth Transition: Maintained continuity during Kejriwal's arrest | No Legislative Wins: Only 5 months; caretaker role only |
| Managed 14 Portfolios: Finance, PWD, Power, Education during crisis | Election Defeat: AAP crushed (62→22 seats) on her watch |
Verdict: Competent caretaker but zero policy legacy. Lost election she didn't cause, but didn't prevent.
4. REKHA GUPTA (Feb 2025 - Present) | BJP | TBD
⚠️ Early Assessment Only: Only 1 year completed. Final rating requires 3-5 year tenure.
| ✅ YEAR 1 ACHIEVEMENTS | ❌ PENDING/CONCERNS |
|---|---|
| Education: Transparency in Fees Act, 2025; smart classrooms | Women's Promise: ₹2,500/month not fully implemented |
| Healthcare: Ayushman Bharat (7 lakh registrations), 71 Atal Canteens | Inherited Legacy: Many achievements are continuations of AAP work |
| Electric Mobility: 4,000 electric buses added | Anti-AAP Focus: Heavy criticism of predecessor vs. original vision |
Verdict: Promising start but too early. Must build own legacy beyond criticizing Kejriwal.
5. SUSHMA SWARAJ (Oct-Dec 1998) | BJP | ★★☆☆☆ (1.6/5)
| ✅ ACHIEVEMENTS | ❌ LIMITATIONS |
|---|---|
| Historic First: First woman CM of Delhi (age 46) | 52 Days Only: Zero policy implementation possible |
| Crisis Response: Night police visits, onion committees during BJP crisis | Electoral Defeat: BJP lost badly; Congress won 52 seats |
Verdict: Historical footnote. Real impact came later as External Affairs Minister (2014-2019).
📊 COMPARATIVE RATING MATRIX
| Metric | Dikshit | Kejriwal | Atishi | Gupta | Swaraj | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infrastructure | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 2.4 |
| Education | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 2.4 |
| Healthcare | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 2.2 |
| Governance Reform | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★☆☆☆☆ | 2.4 |
| Women's Safety | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | TBD | ★☆☆☆☆ | 2.0 |
| Environmental | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ☆☆☆☆☆ | 2.4 |
| Integrity | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | TBD | ★★★☆☆ | 3.4 |
| Crisis Management | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | TBD | ★★★☆☆ | 2.4 |
| Long-term Impact | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★☆☆☆☆ | TBD | ★★☆☆☆ | 2.8 |
| TOTAL AVERAGE | 3.1 | 3.6 ⭐ | 2.0 | TBD | 1.6 | 2.9 |
🏆 FINAL RANKINGS
| Rank | Chief Minister | Rating | Key Strength | Key Weakness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 1 | Arvind Kejriwal | ★★★★☆ (3.6) | Education/Health; Judicially vindicated | Confrontational style |
| 🥈 2 | Sheila Dikshit | ★★★★☆ (3.1) | Infrastructure; CWG case closure | Women's safety blind spots |
| 🥉 3 | Rekha Gupta | TBD | Early promise on education | Too early to assess |
| 4 | Atishi Marlena | ★★☆☆☆ (2.0) | Crisis continuity | No policy legacy |
| 5 | Sushma Swaraj | ★★☆☆☆ (1.6) | Historic first woman CM | Only 52 days |
🎯 Key Findings
- Infrastructure vs. Welfare Divide: Dikshit built physical infrastructure (Metro); Kejriwal built social infrastructure (schools/clinics). Both now judicially cleared of corruption.
- Institutional Weaponization Exposed: Court found Kejriwal investigation "premeditated and choreographed." CBI officers face inquiry. Pattern of using agencies against opposition.
- Electoral Interference: Kejriwal arrested March 2024 (weeks before elections), forced to resign, AAP lost 2025. Court discharge came too late to prevent political damage.
- Judicial Vindication Pattern: Both Kejriwal (Feb 2026) and Dikshit (April 2025) cleared after years of allegations. "Guilty until proven innocent" reversed by courts.
⚠️ Important Corrections
| Previous Media Narrative | Court-Verified Reality (2025-26) |
|---|---|
| Kejriwal faced "serious excise policy scandal" | Completely vindicated — "biggest political conspiracy" exposed |
| "Corruption allegations remain" | All charges dismissed — "Kattar Imaandar" certified |
| Sheila Dikshit CWG case "ongoing" | Case closed April 2025 — "no offence committed" |
📋 Rating Methodology
5-Star Scale:
- ★★★★★ = Exceptional (world-class, transformational)
- ★★★★☆ = Strong (significant achievements, minor flaws)
- ★★★☆☆ = Average (standard governance)
- ★★☆☆☆ = Below Average (limited impact)
- ★☆☆☆☆ = Poor (minimal achievement)
Key Principle: Integrity ratings based on FINAL COURT VERDICTS, not allegations.
📚 References
- The Hindu — "Delhi court discharges Kejriwal, Sisodia in excise policy case" (Feb 27, 2026)
- Times of India — "Court relief for Arvind Kejriwal" (Feb 28, 2026)
- Indian Express — "How CBI's Delhi liquor policy case fell apart" (Feb 28, 2026)
- The Hindu — "Court accepts ED's closure report in 2010 CWG case" (April 29, 2025)
- Times of India — "CM Rekha Gupta releases one-year report card" (Feb 26, 2026)
Report: March 1, 2026 | Disclaimer: Rekha Gupta rating preliminary. All corruption ratings reflect final court verdicts.
Fair Use Notice: This work is a transformative analysis for educational
and informational purposes. Quotations from court orders are used under fair
dealing provisions of the Copyright Act, 1957.
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