Newly-appointed Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal promises corruption-free Delhi in 5 years
New Delhi: After one of the biggest election victories in the history of Indian polls, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal took oath as Delhi’s 8th Chief Minister on Saturday.
Stressing on the need to root out corruption, Kejriwal said that his government would work round-the-clock to ensure that Delhi becomes India’s first-corruption state.
“I promise that my team will work round the clock for Delhi’s development. If anyone asks for a bribe, don't say no. Record the entire thing and bring it to me and we shall take action,” he said.
Kejriwal also urged Delhi businessmen to pay taxes on time and contribute to the national capital’s development. “We need money to run government. I urge all businessmen to give tax at the appropriate time. I will not let anyone steal your tax money,” he said.
Taking a dig at PM Modi, the newly-elected Chief Minister said that Prime Minister should concentrate on the rest of the country and leave the affairs of Delhi on the government it has chosen.
“Let the government of Delhi govern it, the PM can concentrate on the rest of the country,” he said. He also demanded full statehood for Delhi.
Arvind Kejriwal along with his Cabinet members pose for camerapersons at Ramlila Maidan (Photo: Twitter)
“The BJP had promised full statehood for Delhi. I urged PM Modi that we need to give this status to Delhi now,” he said.
Raising concerns over the recent attacks on churches in Delhi, Kejriwal said that the people of Delhi believe in communal harmony and will not tolerate such acts of violence.
“In recent days, we witnessed several communal incidents in Delhi. I want to make Delhi where people of every religion feel safe. We want peace and brotherhood in the state,” he said.
The AAP-government has also decided to start a helpline for corruption to assist the people of Delhi. Kejriwal also promised to root out corruption from the state within his 5 years as Chief Minister.
“I urge police to act against anyone who misuses the AAP ‘topi’ and acts violently,” said Kejriwal.
He also said that his party has learnt to stay away from arrogance. “We were punished in the Lok Sabha elections, because we have turned slightly arrogant. The Congress was voted out of power, because it had turned arrogant. After this win, we have to learn to stay away from arrogance,” he said.
Talking about his political rival Kiran Bedi, Kejriwal said that he has huge respect for her. He said that the party would take into account her suggestions to run the government effectively.
Despite a bad throat, Kejriwal ended his speech with a patriotic song and reached the Delhi secretariat with his Cabinet to officially take charge.
- Gopal Rai, MLA from Babarpur, takes oath in Kejriwal’s Cabinet. Rai had a verbal spat with General V K Singh during Anna Hazare’s hunger strike.
- Satinder Jain, MLA from Shakoor Basti, takes oath in Kejriwal’s Cabinet. He was the Health Minister in previous AAP government.
- Sandeep Kumar, who won with the biggest margin from Sultanpur, takes oath in Kejriwal’s Cabinet.
- Asim Ahmed Khan, MLA from Matia Mahal, takes oath in Kejriwal’s Cabinet.
- Manish Sisodia takes oath as Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi
- Arvind Kejriwal takes oath as Delhi Chief Minister. Kejriwal is the 8th Chief Minister of Delhi.
Read: Arvind Kejriwal: No Z-plus, give Delhi statehood
(Photo: ANI Twitter)
Read: Willingly opted out of cabinet: AAP MLA Somnath Bharti
