Arvind Kejriwal sworn in as Delhi chief minister, promises change

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. PHOTO: AP

Arvind Kejriwal, the anti-corruption campaigner and champion of people's rights, became Delhi state's new chief minister as he capped an amazing run with his fledgling Aam Admi Party formed 13 months ago. 

History was made when Kejriwal took oath as Delhi's seventh chief minister at the Ramlila Maidan in the national capital, watched by tens of thousands of excited supporters and on live television around the country.

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.

Soon after taking oath, Kejriwal told the "15 million citizens of Delhi" that he and his party would try to usher in "alternative politics", run a "government of the people" but had no "magic wand" to solve all problems.

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".

Delhi's new chief minister pledged to provide a clean government and alternative politics to change the face of India but warned of "roadblocks" from vested interests.

"Today is a historic day," Kejriwal 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."

Kejriwal also made it clear that the AAP government would not be run by politicians, officials and police but by ordinary people. "This is your government."

Ascribing all the ills of the nation to "dirty politics", the 45-year-old 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 January 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."

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