It was exactly on this very day in 2014, Arvind Kejriwal had renounced Delhi Chief Minister’s chair over his avowed Jan lokpal Bill. The wheel turned a full circle as the fighter in Kejriwal weathered all storms to return as Delhi’s Chief Minister.
He kept his date with the national Capital by romping home with a thunderous victory over arch rival BJP. It was a grand spectacle to behold as people chanted ‘Kejriwal! Kejriwal!’
The historic Ramlila Maidan was packed to capacity and the enthusiastic crowd roared after Kejriwal was invited by lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung to take oath as Delhi Chief Minister.
The volunteers had tears in their eyes the moment Kejriwal began reading from the ‘oath of office and secrecy papers’ by saying, “Main Arvind Kejriwal”. Kejriwal and six other Ministers took the oath of office and secrecy in Hindi, drawing large rounds applause from the discerning crowd.
Master communicator Kejriwal won many a heart when he sang the popular Hindi song Insaan ka insaan se ho bhaichaara, seeking to drive home the message of universal brotherhood and harmony. It would be interesting to mention that Kejriwal had sung the same song from the 1959 film Paigham during his earlier stint in 2013 from the same Ramlila Maidan. Thousands present at the ceremony joined the newly sworn-in Chief Minister in singing the Manna Dey track.
Asim Ahmed Khan, the MlA from Matia Mahal, who ended Shoaib Iqbal’s uninterrupted run since 1993, took oath in the name of Ishwar (God). It was refreshing to see a Muslim legislator invoking the name of God while taking the oath of office.
He very well could have taken oath by saying satyanishtha se pratigya (allegiance by truth and devotion) but taking oath in Hindi like the other colleagues in the Cabinet, Khan displayed the Aam Aadmi Party brand of politics that cuts across all faith and religion.
Arvind Kejriwal’s sartorial ways were at display on Super Saturday. Kejiwal appeared on the scene dressed in his trademark blue sweater and grey trousers with his ministerial colleagues dressed like the “common man” reflecting the philosophy of the party.
The former Indian Revenue Services (IRS) officer took oath of office and secrecy as the eighth Chief Minister of Delhi at a packed ceremony. Kejriwal whose ‘Muffler Man’ image became a smashing hit, decided to give it a go by as it was a warm and sunny day.
Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Asim Ahmed Khan, Sandeep Kumar, Satyendra Jain, Gopal Rai and Jitender Singh Tomar were seen sporting AAP caps bearing the slogan main aam aadmi hoon (I am a common man). While Sisodia, Jain and Khan chose a trouser and shirt combination, the rest wore traditional neta outfit of kurta-pyjama with Nehru jacket.
AAP supporters, who came from a spectrum of religion and social ranks, came from all over India. They thronged the Ramlila Maidan as far as Kerala. There were many from the neighbouring States that travelled on their own volition to be part of the historic moment and also to see and hear their “favourite” Chief Minister speak.