After taking oath as the new lieutenant-Governor of Delhi on Saturday, Anil Baijal said, “I hope I would be able to work for the betterment of people with the elected Government.”

Delhi is a megapolis with issues of infrastructure, law and order, women safety for which we will work together, said 70-year-old Baijal, who had served in a number of key positions at the Centre, including as Union Home Secretary.

Soon after he was administered oath by Chief Justice of Delhi High Court G Rohini as 20th l-G of Delhi, Baijal thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Pranab Mukherjee for “this opportunity”.

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, BJP spokesperson Meenakshi lekhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, along with other ministers and MlAs of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and BJP, attended the oath ceremony at Raj Niwas.

Deputy Delhi Chief Secretary MM Kutty, leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta among others too were present.

On being asked about tussle between previous l-G Najeeb Jung and the AAP Government on issues, including administrative control over the bureaucracy, Baijal said, “This is speculative. I don’t know why and how the relationship will improve. We will sit, talk and then you will get to know.”

Baijal, who succeeded Jung 10 days after his surprise resignation, is expected to repair the turbulent relationship between the Centre and AAP Government.

Baijal was associated with the Vivekananda International organisation.

Welcoming Baijal’s appointment, Kejriwal said he was hopeful that under the new l-G, governance in the national Capital will see new light overcoming the past hurdles.

“I am very hopeful that in the future, we all - MlAs, Delhi Government, people of Delhi - will work with the l-G for overall development of Delhi.  In the last few months, some works of the Delhi Government came to a standstill. I hope that this work will be expedited,” Kejriwal said at an event at Delhi Assembly complex later in the day.

Baijal said he will put his best efforts in improving law-and-order situation, women’s safety, traffic congestion, besides strengthening civic amenities in the city. 

Baijal’s family including his daughter and son, currently living at their Greater Kailash residence would shift to Raj Niwas with him.

A former 1973 batch IAS officer and former vice-chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia, Jung had assumed charge as the l-G of Delhi on July9, 2013 to resign from his position on December 22.