Arvind Kejriwal takes charge,
Ramlila Maidan / New Delhi ; Arvind Kejriwal has become the youngest Chief Minister of Delhi today. As many as six ministers also took oath along with Kejriwal. In an unprecedented move, the swearing-in ceremony is being held at Ramlila Maidan instead of state Assembly.
Wearing his trademark white cap, Arvind Kejriwal was sworn in today as Delhi’s youngest chief minister, as an estimated one lakh people cheered for him at Ramlila Maidan, a massive public park in the heart of the city.The bespectacled 45-year-old rode the metro to the ceremony. His decision to use public transport echoes his pre-poll promise to end the VIP culture of Delhi’s political elite.
Describing his one-year-old party’s journey to power as “nothing short of a miracle”, Mr Kejriwal delivered a heart-felt speech after taking his oath. “I appeal to my party let us never become arrogant,” he said and added, “we are here to serve.”
Making governance more transparent and inclusive and checking corruption was what he pitched in a highly effective marketing campaign ahead of the Delhi election. Today, he urged the city, “Let us swear that we will never seek nor offer a bribe.” The sea of supporters roared its assent. For voters frustrated with endemic corruption, Mr Kejriwal has emerged as a new hope, and has been given a starling mandate.
His Aam Aadmi Party made a stunning electoral debut in the Delhi election, placing second. The ruling Congress was forced into a poor third, and is lending external support to his minority government.
The BJP won the most seats but did not get a majority and decided it would not try to form the government.
Unlike his predecessors, Mr Kejriwal has said he and his ministers will not occupy the sprawling bungalows surrounded by lush lawns in Delhi. He plans to keep living in his fourth-storey flat in the Delhi suburb of Ghaziabad and has declined police protection.
He asked to be sworn-in at a public park so that the aam aadmi or common man could attend the ceremony. The venue he picked is where he rallied a historic anti-corruption movement with activist Anna Hazare two years ago. They have been estranged since Mr Kejriwal decided to enter politics.
