Anti-corruption champion sworn in as Delhi chief minister

NEW DELHI: Anti-corruption champion Arvind Kejriwal pledged to serve “the common man” as he was sworn in as chief minister of the New Delhi government in what supporters hope will prove a turning point in India’s graft-ridden politics.
Loud cheers erupted as Kejriwal took the oath of office in front of tens of thousands of supporters in a park after living up to his “ordinary man” reputation by riding the subway to the ceremony.
“I will do my duties as a minister honestly,” said Kejriwal, a political outsider who led his upstart anti-graft Aam Admi — Common Man — Party to a stunning electoral showing in state polls this month.
The 45-year-old engineer, wearing his trademark Gandhian white cap, said he had no “magic wand” to solve the megacity’s massive housing, infrastructure and sanitation problems.
“But the people, not the police or bureaucrats will run government,” he said, adding, “If we all come together, then we can change the country.”
Cries of “Long Live the Aam Admi Party” rang out from supporters who waved banners declaring “Today Delhi, Tomorrow the Country” as well as brooms — the party’s symbol for cleaning up India’s corruption.
Police estimated the crowd, many of whom wore the party’s famous cap that says “I am a common man,” at up to 100,000.
The party, formed just a year ago, won 28 state seats, humiliating the Congress party which was reduced to just eight seats.
Congress’s rout in Delhi and three other state polls has been seen as one more sign the powerful Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, which has given India three premiers since independence, may lose office in looming general elections.
The rookie party’s performance will be closely watched to see what it could offer the rest of India. Kejriwal has a radical program to slash electricity costs, supply free water and decentralize power.
Kejriwal called his party’s journey to power “nothing short of a miracle” and took no time to celebrate, starting work immediately.
“He’s a simple man, a workaholic. He rises at 4:30 and goes on to 11:30 at night,” Mayank Gandhi, a new minister, told NDTV news channel.
“I appeal to my party, let us never become arrogant,” said Kejriwal, whose appeal spans many classes from domestic servants to teachers and business owners.
Business leaders congratulated Kejriwal on taking office.
“A strong message has gone to the established political system that there is no going away from the basic issues of governance,” said Rana Kapoor, head of the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India.
Breaking tradition, Kejriwal has said he and his ministers will not occupy the sprawling white bungalows surrounded by lush lawns built by India’s former British colonial rulers.