Agencies, New Delhi, Feb 14: It was AAP all the way from Metro stations to bus stops to roads as streams of joyous supporters headed to the historic Ramlila Maidan where Arvind Kejriwal took oath today as the eighth chief minister of Delhi.
For hundreds of AAP volunteers, who had toiled for the party not only in the recently held assembly elections but in the previous assembly and Lok Sabha polls too, the venue was like a sacred place where they could see their efforts bearing fruit when their leader took oath as the Delhi chief minister for a second time.
The perennially crowded Delhi Metro stations were even more cramped as many party volunteers took Metros to reach the venue. There was no space for any vehicle to manoeuvrer on roads approaching the Maidan as these were filled with AAP activists donning trademark party cap and singing songs, mediapersons, police and street-food vendors.
All roads lead to Ramlila Maidan
It was chaotic, but no one seemed to be in a mood to complain. Police maintained a strict vigil and so did AAP volunteers deployed on roads leading to the Ramlila Maidan. AAP volunteers and supporters, waving National Flags, were fast making an entry into the Ramlila Maidan. On the ground, patriotic songs were being played and the only view which was visible was the sea of volunteers.
By 11.30 AM, the ground was already full and there was hardly any place to sit and an equal amount of people were waiting outside. Volunteers were dressed in different colours like blue, yellow and saffron, besides the trademark AAP cap.
People from different walks of life – from Bollywood celebrates to Kejriwal’s batch mates in IIT – were present at the ceremony. AAP leader Yogendra Yadav was, in fact, sitting in the media enclosure.
Everyone was waiting for the ‘Man of the Day’ and perhaps for the next Five years.
As Kejriwal – clad in black sweater – made an entry into the Ramlila Maidan at 11.45 AM, along with his Council of Ministers, the crowd roared as they saw him in the LED screens. The roars from the crowd kept erupting every time the camera focussed on him.
Finally, the moment arrived when Lt Governor arrived on the podium, along with the CM-designate and his Council of Ministers, which was followed by a national anthem.
As Kejriwal started taking oath, for many it was an emotional moment and eyes turned moist. After Kejriwal his six ministers took oath. Every time a minister took oath, a party volunteer would blow a conch indicating that it is not the end of a struggle, but a fresh start.
While addressing the gathering the Aam Aadmi Party leader – sporting his party’s white cap with the words “Main hoon aam aadmi” (I am a common man) – reached out to his vanquished rivals, Kiran Bedi of the BJP and Ajay Maken of the Congress, saying he would consult both on how to develop Delhi. He described Kiran Bedi as his “elder sister”.
Time for a new culture
Like last time, Kejriwal announced a ban on what he called VIP culture, including red beacon lights on official vehicles and strutting around in public places with a phalanx of security. He said Indians wanted a society where political leaders would also travel in buses like in many countries in Europe.
The income tax official-turned-activist-turned-chief minister, who has been suffering from fever for some days, sounded unwell. He told the crowd that he had come to the venue after taking Crocin.
The AAP leader decried statements attributed to AAP leaders that after the Delhi victory, the party would expand to other states. This, he said, also smacked of arrogance.
“God has ordered us, the people of Delhi have ordered us to serve them… All the coming five years I will serve only the people of Delhi.”
Give us Delhi, give us statehood
He said he told Prime Minister Modi that the AAP stood for “constructive cooperation” with the central government, and it was high time the capital Delhi was granted full statehood.
“As prime minister, he is very busy. He has to think about the country, he has to go abroad… Please leave Delhi to the people of Delhi… I am confident Modi will think about this positively.”
He said that although Delhi Police didn’t come under his control, he was confident his government would make Delhi a secure city for people of all religions and communities.
Let peace prevail
Referring to the Hindu-Muslim riots in east Delhi and the recent attacks on churches and Christian institutions, Kejriwal said Delhi had never seen troubles of this sort for 35 years.
“People of Delhi want peace. They won’t tolerate this… We want to live in peace.”
He ended his 30-minute address, by singing a song on brotherhood and communal amity, which he asked the crowd to sing with him, demonstrating yet again how this unusual, and in some ways maverick, politician stood out from the rest.
