Press Trust Of India
New Delhi, Feb 14: Sounding more mature and pragmatic in his second innings, Aam Aadmi Party(AAP) leader and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Saturday vowed to make Delhi the country’s first corruption-free city and end ‘‘VIP culture’’ even as he warned colleagues against ‘‘arrogance’’ after the party’s thumping victory.
Addressing an estimated 100,000 cheering supporters at the Ramlila Maidan – he had made a special appeal over radio to people to come – after being sworn in, Kejriwal sought statehood for Delhi, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi had too many issues to take care of and that Delhi must be left to Delhiites.
The gathering went wild as he took the oath of office and secrecy from Lt Governor Najeeb Jung – followed by six ministers – and then addressed them in Hindi.
Manish Sisodia, who was appointed as deputy Chief Minister, and five other ministers Asim Ahmed Khan, Sandeep Kumar, Satyendar Jain, Gopal Rai and Jitender Singh Tomar were also administered oath of office and secrecy by Jung.
Shortly after he took office, it was announced that the Chief Minister will not keep any portfolio.
In his address after taking oath, Kejriwal unveiled the priorities of his government which included steps against corruption, communal elements and VIP culture and assured Delhiites that his government will fight for full statehood for the National Capital.
Warning his party leaders and workers against arrogance, he said this was the reason for the defeat of Congress and BJP, which had received huge majority in Lok Sabha polls just nine months ago.
Terming the verdict as a ‘‘miracle of God,’’ Kejriwal said, ‘‘I knew people of Delhi love me, but didn’t know they love me so much.’’
The AAP won 67 of the 70 seats in Delhi decimating Congress and leaving only three seats for the BJP.
Assuring people that his government will make Delhi ‘‘India’s first corruption-free state’’, he said if somebody asks for bribe don’t refuse. ‘‘Setting ker lena (fix the deal) and video record it. Send the video footage to me. I will take action,’’ he said.
Kejriwal admitted the AAP’s decision to contest the 2014 Lok Sabha election – he himself took on Modi in Varanasi and lost – was a blunder.
