Published on 03:46 PM, February 14, 2015

Delhi swears in anti-fraud activist Arvind Kejriwal

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) president Arvind Kejriwal (C) greets his supporters as fellow Minister Manish Sisodia (R) looks on during his swearing-in ceremony as Delhi chief minister in New Delhi on February 14, 2015. Photo: AFP

Anti-corruption activist Arvind Kejriwal has been sworn in as the Indian capital's chief minister.

The ceremony took place at an open ground, the Ramlila Maidan, rather than at the assembly's offices. Thousands of supporters gathered to watch.

Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) won 67 of 70 seats in the state assembly, trouncing both the mainstream parties.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which won a landslide in last year's general election, was reduced to three seats.

It was a major setback for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Congress, historically the biggest party in Delhi, was wiped out.

Who is Arvind Kejriwal?

  • A former tax inspector, he left the civil service in 2006 to fight corruption and won the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay award
  • Launched the Aam Aadmi Party in October 2012 to fight "bribe-taking"
  • Became Delhi's chief minister in 2013 state election, but quit after 49 days
  • Bounced back in 2015 with campaign popular with Delhi's working class
  • His election symbol was a broom to signify cleansing society

Kejriwal invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the ceremony but a spokesman for the chief minister-elect said Mr Modi had turned down the invitation.

The Ramlila Maidan is a huge ground in Delhi often used for political rallies, and Kejriwal had invited all of Delhi to attend.

Kejriwal was sworn in as chief minister at the same place in 2013, although he resigned after 49 days after failing to pass an anti-corruption bill.

The AAP was born out of an anti-corruption movement that swept India three years ago.

Kejriwal has promised to end corruption and lower electricity and water bills.