Just sworn in and Kejriwal has already made Delhi ‘Sing’apore
By: Sobhana K Nair
A sea of people donning Gandhi caps with ‘main hoonaam aadmi ’ emblazoned on it gathered to witness AK take oath as Delhi CM
Under the scorching sun, a sea of white caps bobbed, waiting patiently for AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal to take oath as Delhi’s eighth chief minister.
Over an hour before the swearing-in ceremony was scheduled Ramlila Ground was packed to its full capacity. The entry points had to be shut and the rest of the crowd waiting outside was requested to watch the swearing-in on the massive television screens put up outside the venue.
Incidentally, it was on February 14 last year that Kejriwal’s 49-day government resigned in a huff after failing to pass the Jan Lokpal Bill in the assembly.
“Sixty-seven seats is a miracle. It cannot be the work of a man, god is trying to tell us something. I wonder what god has in mind? We are merely the medium whom he is using for a bigger plan,” Kejriwal said.
He again warned his party colleagues against getting arrogant. He made the same statement soon after results were announced.
An emotional Kejriwal, addressing a strong crowd of supporters, recalled the Anna Hazare-led India Against Corruption movement.
“Last time, we had romanticism, but this time, we are confident that we can remove corruption from Delhi in five years,” he said.
Kejriwal spoke out against the recent incident of communal violence in Trilokpuri in East Delhi and the spate of attacks on churches in Delhi.
“I want to tell the forces who are behind these incidents that this will not be tolerated. We want a Delhi where Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, everyone, regardless of their religion, will feel safe.”
Once again using the stage to press for full statehood for Delhi, he directly addressed PM Narendra Modi. “A prime minister is usually very busy, he has to think about the entire nation and has to go for foreign tours too. He cannot possibly have time for Delhi. My advice is that he should leave Delhi for Delhiwallahs,” he said.
Like Modi, Kejriwal too wished the Indian cricket team good luck for the ongoing World Cup series.
The chief minister also said that VIP culture will be stopped — none of his ministers will use a red beacon car.
At the same time, however, he said that the ministers would use official cars. “If minister does not use a car, how will he work,” he asked. During his last stint, almost till the end, Kejriwal continued using his blue Wagon R. He said if any one demands bribe, don’t refuse, setting ker lena (fix the deal) and video record it. “Send the video footage to me. I will take action.”
The anti-corruption helpline is set to start again.
The chief minister also said that Jan Lokpal Bill will be passed soon but he did not give a timeframe. Indicating that unlike the last time his government will not be in tearing hurry to take any decisions, Kejriwal said everything will be done properly and comprehensively. “Government will not be run in hours, Delhi has given us five years,” he said.
A sea of people donning Gandhi caps with ‘main hoon
Under the scorching sun, a sea of white caps bobbed, waiting patiently for AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal to take oath as Delhi’s eighth chief minister.
Over an hour before the swearing-in ceremony was scheduled Ramlila Ground was packed to its full capacity. The entry points had to be shut and the rest of the crowd waiting outside was requested to watch the swearing-in on the massive television screens put up outside the venue.
Incidentally, it was on February 14 last year that Kejriwal’s 49-day government resigned in a huff after failing to pass the Jan Lokpal Bill in the assembly.
As Kejriwal and his cabinet got on to the stage the crowd gave a standing ovation, waving flags and shouting slogans. Lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung administered the oath of office and secrecy to Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and five other ministers. Though, down with viral fever, Kejriwal spoke at length and also sang the party’s trademark song originally from the 1959 film Paigam sung by Manna De.
“Sixty-seven seats is a miracle. It cannot be the work of a man, god is trying to tell us something. I wonder what god has in mind? We are merely the medium whom he is using for a bigger plan,” Kejriwal said.
He again warned his party colleagues against getting arrogant. He made the same statement soon after results were announced.
An emotional Kejriwal, addressing a strong crowd of supporters, recalled the Anna Hazare-led India Against Corruption movement.
“Last time, we had romanticism, but this time, we are confident that we can remove corruption from Delhi in five years,” he said.
Kejriwal spoke out against the recent incident of communal violence in Trilokpuri in East Delhi and the spate of attacks on churches in Delhi.
“I want to tell the forces who are behind these incidents that this will not be tolerated. We want a Delhi where Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, everyone, regardless of their religion, will feel safe.”
Once again using the stage to press for full statehood for Delhi, he directly addressed PM Narendra Modi. “A prime minister is usually very busy, he has to think about the entire nation and has to go for foreign tours too. He cannot possibly have time for Delhi. My advice is that he should leave Delhi for Delhiwallahs,” he said.
Like Modi, Kejriwal too wished the Indian cricket team good luck for the ongoing World Cup series.
The chief minister also said that VIP culture will be stopped — none of his ministers will use a red beacon car.
At the same time, however, he said that the ministers would use official cars. “If minister does not use a car, how will he work,” he asked. During his last stint, almost till the end, Kejriwal continued using his blue Wagon R. He said if any one demands bribe, don’t refuse, setting ker lena (fix the deal) and video record it. “Send the video footage to me. I will take action.”
The anti-corruption helpline is set to start again.
The chief minister also said that Jan Lokpal Bill will be passed soon but he did not give a timeframe. Indicating that unlike the last time his government will not be in tearing hurry to take any decisions, Kejriwal said everything will be done properly and comprehensively. “Government will not be run in hours, Delhi has given us five years,” he said.
