Kejriwal creates history, becomes Delhi CM at public ceremony
New Delhi, Dec 28 (IANS): History was made Saturday when Arvind Kejriwal took oath as Delhi's seventh chief minister at the Ramlila Maidan, watched by tens of thousands of excited supporters and on live television around the country.
It was the culmination of a momentous campaign for people's rights that was mounted by Kejriwal and his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), formed only a year ago and which rode to power in a major electoral upset this month.
Along with Kejirwal were sworn in six of his relatively youthful ministers by Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung amid a crescendo of cheers and claps from his white cap-waving sea of supporters and voters who reposed faith in him and his promises to "change the system".
Arvind Kejriwal pledged to provide a clean government and alternative politics to change the face of India but warned of "roadblocks" from vested interests.
Kejriwal said this was a "historic day" but the path ahead would be long and challenging.
"Today is a historic day," the 45-year-old said in opening remarks, triggering wild cheering from the sea of supporters packing the ground in the heart of Delhi.
"Today every citizen in Delhi has taken the oath of office."
For a long time, the activist-turned-politician said, people across the country had become despondent that nothing good could happen in this country.
"People felt that bad politics had destroyed everything.
"But the people of Delhi proved that even honest people can fight and win elections."
He said the AAP's decision to form a government in Delhi "is only the beginning. The real fight lies ahead.
"Kejriwal or his ministers cannot fight this battle all alone... But I am convinced that if the people of Delhi get together, then we can eradicate corruption."
In the face of rising expectations from his government, Kejriwal advised patience and said he had no "magic wand" to solve all their problems.
"We do not believe we have all the answers to all the problems, or that God has given wisdom only to us.
"But if we all get together, then there is no problem that cannot be resolved."
He made it clear that the AAP government would not be run by politicians, officials and police but by ordinary people. "This is your government."
Kejriwal recalled that Gandhian activist Anna Hazare, who he regards as his guru, used to say that politics was dirty.
"I used to tell him that if it were so, then we will have to plunge into this muck to clean it up."
Ascribing all the ills of the nation to "dirty politics", Kejriwal said his meetings in the past few days with officials in Delhi made it clear that most of them were honest.
"Delhi's bureaucracy will have to join hands with the people ... so that we can rid this country of corruption and banish poverty."
He warned that those upset by the AAP's victory "won't keep quiet.
"They will create many obstacles... I am getting a lot of information. It is not correct for me to make these public now.
"I am convinced they are going to create roadblocks."
The AAP founder leader said he was not worried whether or not he is able to prove his majority in the 70-member assembly Jan 3.
He said that if the AAP failed to prove its majority, "we will return to the people... People are ready for (fresh) elections.
"And in the next election, the AAP will be returned to power with a thumping majority."
The 45-year-old Kejriwal's AAP won 28 seats in the 70-member Delhi assembly after the Bharatiya Janata Party failed to form a government despite winning 31 seats as it lacked majority in the house.
The AAP has the legislative backing of the eight-member Congress, which was routed after ruling Delhi for 15 long years.
Kejriwal sings song of brotherhood, crowd joins
In keeping with his down-to-earth image, Delhi's new Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal capped his maiden speech with a song of brotherhood to unite people against divisiveness and injustice.
"Insaan se insaan ka ho bhaichara, yehi hai paigam hamara (people should have brotherly relations, this is our message)," he sang to loud cheers.
"Harek mahal se kaho ke/ Jhopdiyo me diye jalaye/Chhoto aur bado me ab/Koi phrak nahi rah jaye.(There should be no differences between rich and poor, from palace should resound the message, lamps should light up huts)"
The song is from an old Bollywood film "Paigham" and was sung by Manna Dey. The revolutionary song was penned by Pradeep.
It was quite unlike what any chief minister has done in India so far. But Kejriwal struck an immediate chord with the masses at Ramlila Maidan, where he took oath. The massive crowd joined him in singing the song.
Kejriwal would sing the song during his many anti-corruption campaigns in the capital.
"Sab ke liye sukh ka barabar ho batwara, yehi paigam hamara (There should be equal happiness for all, this is our message)," he sang.
Promise never to give or take bribes: Kejriwal
Delhi's new Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Saturday made people take a solemn pledge that they would never give or take bribes.
"We must promise we will never give or take bribes," said Kejriwal to the hundreds and thousands of his cheering supporters and citizens of Delhi at Ramlila Maidan after his swearing in.
"I promise I will never give bribes or take bribes," he said and asked people to repeat after him.
He said he would announce a telephone number in two days on which people could complain about any official demanding bribes.
"We shall catch the corrupt red-handed," said Kejriwal.
Thousands pack Ramlila Maidan as Kejriwal takes Metro
Tens of thousands of people packed the Ramlila Maidan here Saturday morning as AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal took the Metro to reach the venue to take oath as Delhi's chief minister.
Large crowds began gathering at the sprawling ground in the heart of Delhi from early in the morning to see Kejriwal being sworn in along with six ministers.
Kejriwal, 45, meanwhile boarded the Delhi Metro near his home in Kaushambi township adjoining the national capital along with his family and a large number of supporters.
"My brother's will-power is very strong," said his sister Ranjana Gupta, who also took the same Metro train after reaching Delhi with her doctor-husband from Haridwar.
"Just give him time... I am sure he will fulfil all the promises he has made," she added.
Kejriwal declared Friday that he and his party colleagues will take the public transport Saturday as part of his commitment to do away with the "VIP culture".
Portfolios of Kejriwal and his team
The following are the portfolios of Delhi's new Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his cabinet of six ministers.
Arvind Kejriwal - The chief minister will be handling the ministries of home, power, planning, finance, services, vigilance and departments not allocated to anyone else.
Manish Sisodia - Kejriwal's right-hand man will look after education, higher education, Public Works Department, urban development, local bodies, land and building and revenue.
Somnath Bharti - He will look after administrative reforms, law, tourism, art and culture ministries.
Saurabh Bhardwaj - The ministries of transport, food supply, environment, elections and general administrative department have been given to him.
Rakhi Birla - The youngest member of the cabinet, Birla will be handling women and child development, social welfare and languages. She has also been given charge of making special arrangements to ensure women's safety in the national capital.
Girish Soni - He will be looking after the ministries of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, employment, development and skill mission and labour.
Satyendra Jain - He will be looking after the ministries of health, industries and gurdwara elections.
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