This Article is From Feb 14, 2015

Arvind Kejriwal Will Not Keep Any Portfolio with Him, Says Manish Sisodia

Arvind Kejriwal Will Not Keep Any Portfolio with Him, Says Manish Sisodia

Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and AAP ministers at the swearing-in ceremony. (Photo: Press Trust of India)

New Delhi:

Arvind Kejriwal, who was sworn in today as Delhi's new chief minister along with six ministers, will not keep any portfolio with him.

His group of six ministers, who make up what is possibly India's youngest cabinet with an average age of less than 40, will be in charge of multiple ministries.

The Chief Minister will "oversee the work of the ministers and connect with the people", Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia told reporters.

The new government is expected to act fast on the party's promise to slash electricity bills and provide free water to homes.

Mr Sisodia, the capital's first deputy chief minister, will have the Urban Development and Education portfolios, which are also vital to AAP's 70-point manifesto.

The former journalist who is the number two leader in AAP, held these two ministries in the previous 49-day Kejriwal government. Mr Sisodia plans to resume his campaign to revamp government schools and untangle the nursery admission mess.

He will also be in charge of the Finance, Planning, Revenue and Vigilance portfolios.

The ministries of Home, Law and Art and Culture will be with Jitender Tomar. AAP's previous law minister, the controversial Somnath Bharti, has been dropped this time.

Satyendar Jain returns as health minister; in his previous stint last year, he was known for surprise visits to hospitals.

He will also have the portfolios of power, industries, public works department, irrigation and flood control.

Gopal Rai, a former student leader who was once asked by Anna Hazare to leave a meeting after a public squabble, will take over the transport and labour ministries. He will also be in charge of the ministries of rural development, employment and general administration.

Sandeep Kumar, a lawyer, will be in charge of women and child development, social welfare and welfare of Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribes.

Asim Ahmed Khan will head the ministries of food and civil supply, environment and forest.

.