Vows to make Delhi safe and corruption free in five years
14 02 2015
Aam Aadmi Chief Arvind Kejriwal was today sworn in as the Chief Minister of Delhi. Lt Governor Najeeb Jung administered him the oath of office and secrecy at Ramlila Maidan. 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. President Pranab Mukherjee Friday night appointed Mr Kejriwal as Chief Minister of Delhi with effect from the date he is sworn-in.
A Home Ministry statement said, the President also signed an order to revoke Central rule in Delhi from today. AAP sources said, Mr Kejriwal is expected to keep the key portfolios of Home, Power and Finance with himself, while giving Education, PWD and Urban Development to his confidante Manish Sisodia, who will also be the Deputy Chief Minister. AIR correspondent reports, Satyendar Jain, who had handled the Health and Industry in the earlier AAP rule, is expected to retain the same portfolios.
In the recent Delhi Assembly elections, AAP staged a historic victory sweeping 67 of the 70 seats leaving BJP with only 3 seats. This will be Mr Kejriwal’s second term as Delhi Chief Minister, after he resigned February last year after running a 49-day government with the support of Congress.
Over 3,000 security personnel were deployed at the venue. 50 CCTV cameras and 12 LCD screens have also been installed to ensure that no untoward incident takes place.
Addressing the crowd, Mr Kejriwal promised to make Delhi the first corruption-free city in the next five years. He assured to pass Jan Lokpal Bill as soon as possible.
The new Chief Minister also pitched for full statehood to Delhi. He said during his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he had raised the issue and hoped Mr Modi will think in positive terms. He also sought Center’s constructive cooperation for all round development of the national capital.
Requesting the media not to measure the government’s performance in hours, Mr Kejriwal said the people have given five years to the party to deliver. Referring to recent vandalisation of churches and minority institutions, he said such acts would not be tolerated and asked people involved in such activities to desist from doing so. Asking party workers to eschew arrogance, he said BJP’s arrogance had led to its severe drubbing in polls. He admitted that contesting Lok Sabha polls was a wrong decision on the part of the party and said he will only concentrate on serving Delhi in the next five years. He also said he wished to put an end to VIP culture and said his Ministers will not use red beacon cars.
Later, Mr Kejriwal reached Secretariat and assumed charge. AIR correspondent reports that a huge crowd had gathered to witness the swearing in ceremony. Prominent among those present were film personalities, Javed Jaffery, Shekhar Suman, Gul Panag and BJP MPs Udit Raj and party leader Vijender Gupta.
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