Aam Admi Party takes charge in New Delhi
![Arvind Kejriwal](https://tds-images.thedailystar.net/upload/gallery/image/arts/arvind-kejriwal_2.jpg)
The leader of an upstart anti-graft party was sworn in yesterday as chief minister of India's capital in what supporters hoped would start the clean-up of the nation's corruption-ridden politics.
Tens of thousands of supporters cheered as 45-year-old Arvind Kejriwal took the oath of office in a public park after living up to his "common man" reputation by riding the subway to the ceremony.
"I will do my duties as a minister honestly," said Kejriwal, 45, a political outsider who led his Aam Aadmi -- Common Man -- Party to a stunning showing in state polls this month.
The engineer, wearing his trademark Gandhi white cap, said he had no "magic wand" to solve the megacity's massive housing, infrastructure and sanitation problems.
"But the people, not the police or bureaucrats will run government," he said, adding, "If we all come together, then we can change the country."
Supporters held banners reading "Today Delhi, Tomorrow the Country" and waved brooms -- the party's symbol for sweeping away India's endemic corruption and bribery.
Kejriwal told the crowd, estimated by police at up to 100,000, to repeat after him: "I promise I will never give bribes or take bribes."
The party, formed just a year ago, won 28 state seats, reducing the Congress party to just eight seats after famously dismissing Kejriwal as "not even on our radar".
Congress's rout in Delhi and three other state polls has been seen as one more sign the the ruling Congress may lose office in looming general elections.
The rookie party's performance will be closely watched to see what it could deliver for the rest of India. Kejriwal has a radical plan to slash electricity costs, supply free water and decentralise power.
The ex-tax inspector called his party's journey to power a "revolution" and "nothing short of a miracle" but he took no time to celebrate, chairing his first cabinet meeting within hours.
Kejriwal's unprecedented move to use the subway to travel to the oath ceremony echoed a pre-poll pledge to end the privileged culture surrounding Delhi's politicians and make his administration down-to-earth.
Kejriwal has said he and his ministers will not occupy the sprawling white bungalows built by India's former British colonial rulers. Their cars will also not have the red beacons and sirens allowing them to zip through traffic enjoyed by their predecessors.
Business leaders congratulated Kejriwal, who will govern with outside support from Congress.
Kejriwal, named news weekly India Today's Newsmaker Of The Year, plans to keep living in his modest suburban flat.
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