Arvind Kejriwal, the man of the moment and the catalyst for heralding a new era of politics of governance, took over as Delhi Chief Minister in a historic ceremony at Ramlila Maidan on Saturday. In his first address as Chief Minister, Kejriwal sought the support from the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to his Government.
The Chief Minister also cautioned his party workers to ensure that their feet were kept on the ground as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was born to provide a corruption-free Government. The Chief Minister also reminded the people that he was not having a magic wand to cure all the ills that afflict the city and invited them to join hands for solving the same.
BJP leader Harsh Vardhan, who would be the leader of the Opposition in the new Assembly, was the lone prominent politician to be present. Kejriwal even praised him as an honest person. No Congress leaders attended the ceremony. They later said that they were busy in the 125th Congress Foundation Day celebrations.
In his 20-minute speech, Kejriwal sought to blunt the adventures of certain sections of the Congress by openly stating that he was not worried whether his Government survived the ‘Confidence Motion’ or not. “It was immaterial whether we pass or fail in the Confidence Motion. We are ready to face elections and the people of Delhi are watching this. They will elect us with huge majority,” said the Chief Minister amidst the thunderous applause of AAP supporters.
There was a feeling of satisfaction for those who had attended the 13-day fast of Anna Hazare in this very ground in 2011. They had come in large numbers to witness the swearing-in ceremony. Kejriwal was in full flow as he sought to hammer home his message to his political adversaries. In a warning to his Ministers and partymen, he said they should not get arrogant with power. “We are here to remove the arrogance of big parties. We should be wary that no other party has to take birth to dismantle us”.
In the same vein, he said, “It was indeed a historic day. It is not Arvind Kejriwal and his Ministers who are taking oath but the people of Delhi who have taken the oath of office and secrecy.”