Capping a momentous journey, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday took oath as the eighth Chief Minister of Delhi, promising to make Delhi the first corruption—free state and act against communal elements.

Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung administered the oath of office and secrecy to Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and five other ministers at the historic Ramlila Ground here, exactly an year after Kejriwal quit after a short 49—days regime.

Taking oath as the eighth Chief Minister of Delhi along with six Cabinet ministers at Ramlila Ground here, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal today said his party was just the medium and ‘God wants us to do something big’.

Six other Aam Aadmi Party leaders — Manish Sisodia, Asim Ahmed Khan, Sandeep Kumar, Satyendar Jain, Gopal Rai and Jitender Singh Tomar — were also sworn in as ministers.

Kejriwal is expected to keep the key portfolios of Home, Power and Finance, while giving Education, PWD and Urban Development to his confidante Manish Sisodia who will also be the Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi.

Satyendar Jain, who had handled the Health and Industry portfolios in the earlier AAP-led government, is expected to retain the same portfolio. Gopal Rai, a senior party leader and Political Affairs Committee member of AAP, is tipped be to the next Transport and Labour Minister. Sandeep Kumar, a lawyer by profession, is likely to handle Women and Child Welfare Department and SC and ST Welfare, while Jitender Singh Tomar, also a lawyer, is expected to handle the Law Department. Asim Ahmed Khan is likely to be given the charge of Food and Civil Supplies and Minority Affairs ministries.

In the recent Delhi Assembly elections, the AAP staged a historic victory sweeping 67 of the 70 seats leaving BJP with only 3 seats.

‘Bharat Mata ki jai’

After taking oath as CM, Kejriwal started his speech with ‘Bharat Mata ki jai’ and ‘Inqualab zindabad’. He thanked people of Delhi and God for giving him complete majority. “I knew people of Delhi love me, but I was not aware they love us so much”.

“People from all classes — rich, middle class and poor — voted for us. It is not because of our work but because God wants us to do something big. We are just the medium, God wants us to do something big,” Kejriwal said.

He warned party members and their family against arrogance. “When supporters say we will fight elections in other states, it reeks of arrogance. People defeated the Congress and the BJP because of arrogance. Last year we also fell prey to arrogance when we decided to fight Lok Sabha elections.”

“I will be in Delhi for five years and take care of my responsibility for full five years. No AAP member will take advantage of our position, I am sure. In case any of our member tries to act arrogant or member of any other party impersonates us by wearing AAP cap and takes benefit, please punish him,” Kejriwal said.

Kejriwal promised to eradicate corruption from Delhi in five years. “If anyone asks for bribe, don’t say ‘no’. Use your phone to make a recording and we will punish him. We will also start an anti-corruption telephone line and introduce the Jan Lokpal Bill,” he said

‘People of Delhi are peace-loving’

Talking about the recent spurt in religious crimes, Kejriwal said, “People of Delhi are peace-loving. I am disturbed by some religious disturbances created in the past few days. We will celebrate all festivals together. We want to make a Delhi where everyone feels safe, no matter what religion they follow; will work with the police.”

“We want constructive cooperation with the government at the Centre. The BJP has been promising full statehood to Delhi. I told PM that this is a golden opportunity to fulfil this. I am ready, and I hope that the Prime Minister is also ready to help us and work together.

“I know that the PM is very busy. He doesn’t have so much time for Delhi. So I have asked him to let us take care of Delhi,” he said.

“Delhi’s traders have helped us a lot during the election. I promise them that no one will bother them. We will use your tax money for roads, parking, water, electricity, women safety, admission of kids … no money will go waste,” Kejriwal said.

VIP culture

Speaking about VIP culture in Delhi, he said, “We want to end VIP culture in Delhi. No one likes roads being blocked when a Minister’s car crosses.”

“I will not take a big house; only as big as it is required to function as a CM,” he said.

Kejriwal said he would take guidance from Kiran bedi and Ajay Maken.

Speaking about AAP workers, he said, “Aam Aadmi Party workers are pure gold; sometimes I am reduced to tears when I hear their stories.”

Kejriwal wished the Indian cricket team good luck. “I am confident that the Indian team would win the Cricket World Cup. I wish them all the very best.”

The Delhi Chief Minister signed off with the song he rendered last year, Insaaan ka insaan se ho bhaichara, yehi paigam hamara… .

Earlier, he drove in a car along with his family from his residence in Ghaziabad. A cavalcade which included his ministerial colleagues and party office-bearers accompanied him.
The historic Ramlila Ground was all decked up for the ceremony. Around 3,000 security personnel drawn from Delhi Police, ITBP, CRPF, CISF and SSB had been deployed at the venue.
A Home Ministry statement yesterday had said the President appointed Kejriwal as the Chief Minister of Delhi with effect from the date he is sworn in.

“The President, on the advice of the Chief Minister, has also appointed Manish Sisodia, Asim Ahmed Khan, Sandeep Kumar, Satyendar Jain, Gopal Rai and Jitender Singh Tomar as ministers of Delhi,” the statement had said.

Kejriwal assumes office

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal assumed office on Saturday shortly after taking oath at Ramlila Ground here. Kejriwal along with his entire Cabinet reached the Delhi Secretariat building and met officials and ministers at his office, officials said.

Source: Tribune India