The Aam Aadmi Party’s decision to take the Metro to reach the swearing-in ceremony at Ramlila Maidan on Saturday turned out to be a big hit among the aam aadmi. Be it at Ghaziabad’s Kaushambi station or Delhi’s Barakhamba station, both were chock-a-block with excited supporters waiting to have a glimpse of the youngest Chief Minister of Delhi. While it was a ride to remember for many, several were awed by the simplicity of AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal and his six Ministers.
On his first tryst with governance, Kejriwal received an overwhelming response from the people. From as early as eight in the morning, people started pouring in outside his residence at Girnar Apartments. “I just want to have a look at my Chief Minister, for whom I had voted. I want to wish him all the best for he has a big role to perform now,” said Rajinder Hans, 73, who was waiting outside the main gate of Kejriwal’s apartment with a bouquet. Gauging the huge crowd assembled at his gate to greet him, Kejriwal took a detour and left his apartment from the back gate to reach Kaushambi station. While he left in his blue WagonR, his wife Sunita and two children left in another car.
At 10.40 am, sporting AAP’s trademark white cap and wearing a simple navy blue sweater over a white checked shirt and slacks, Kejriwal stepped at Kaushambi station only to find hundreds of supporters anxiously waiting for his arrival. like all ‘ordinary’ people, Kejriwal too was frisked at the station after which he swiped his Metro smartcard and took the lift to arrive at the platform. Juggling with a mammoth crowd at the stairs, escalators and platforms, who were trying hard to click pictures and take the momentous ride with him, Kejriwal boarded the last coach of a Dwarka-bound Metro at around 11 am.
While MlA from Malviya Nagar and Minister of Administrative Reforms, law, Tourism and Culture Somnath Bharti travelled with Kejriwal, MlA from Patparganj and Urban Development, Revenue and PWD Minister Manish Sisodia went in a different coach with MlA from Mangolpuri and Minister of Women and Child Welfare Rakhi Birla.
“This fight was not just to make me the Chief Minister. Our second Independence struggle has now begun and it will go on till people are not free from corruption, hunger and injustice,” said a determined Kejriwal before boarding the Metro. Meanwhile, during his Metro journey, Somnath Bharti said, “This is the first time that a Chief Minister designate is riding the subway to take his oath. Once we take oath of office, our focus will be on swift execution of policy and projects.” Similar was the sight at Barkhamba station with hundreds of people gathering for their leader to come out. AAP’s policy guru Yogendra Yadav was seen taking an autorickshaw to reach the venue, whereas Kejriwal, Sisodia, Rakhi and others left in their respective cars. Once the leaders left, the supporters with brooms, the party’s symbol and white topis took to the streets to reach Ramlila Maidan on foot.