New Delhi:
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is unwell and stayed home on Monday. But his six ministers, none of whom has held such an office before, had a rough first day at the Delhi secretariat.
The rookie appeal of the new government was on display as 25-year-old Rakhi Birla showed up to work in an auto. Her colleague in the cabinet, Somnath Bharti, took the metro, signalling that the Aam Aadmi Party is determined to drill huge holes in the VIP culture associated with politicians in the capital.
But equally clear was the inexperience of the new government. Health Minister Satyendra Jain had to abandon his first press conference after reporters demanded an explanation for why they were being barred from the government's headquarters. Mr Jain admitted he did not have an answer and would get back to the scrum of journalists.
Senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia then clarified that Mr Kejriwal has ordered limited access for reporters, worried that the unflinching media attention will impede his government's efficacy.
A meeting called with the public by cabinet ministers also flopped after word got out that Mr Kejriwal was sick and would not be present. Cabinet ministers had offered to meet with Delhi residents on the lawns of the Delhi Secretariat. VIP gates were to be opened for public use. But the chairs set up remained empty, proving one of the Aam Aadmi's Party biggest challenges - being perceived as a one-man force.