Arvind Kejriwal swearing-in ceremony took place at Delhi's iconic Ramlila Maidan.
Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal and his six ministers took oath at a mega ceremony at the iconic Ramlila Maidan that was attended by a huge crowd. Apart from Mr Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia, Satyendar Jain, Gopal Rai, Kailash Gehlot, Imran Hussain and Rajendra Gautam will be part of his new cabinet.
Despite running its campaign on women's issues like free bus rides for women, safety and eight of its women candidates winning the election, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal''s new cabinet does not have a single woman.
The grand event also saw 50 special guests - school teachers, doctors, exam toppers, auto drivers, caretakers and sanitation workers - dubbed as "Delhi ke Nirmata (makers of Delhi)" sharing stage with him. "Party affiliations never stopped me from working for anyone. No matter who you voted for, you are part of my family," said Mr Kejriwal, dedicating his victory to the people.
Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP had scooped up 62 of the Delhi's 70 seats, leaving just eight for the opposition BJP, in a near-identical result to the 2015 polls. While Mr Kejriwal has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seven BJP parliamentarians who represent the city and all eight newly-elected BJP MLAs to his swearing-in ceremony, none of the chief ministers from other states have been invited for the event billed as a "Delhi-specific" affair. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to give the swearing-in ceremony a miss; he is scheduled to visit his constituency Varanasi to inaugurate various projects.
Here are the HIGHLIGHTS of Arvind Kejriwal swearing-in ceremony:
AAP swearing-in: Arvind Kejriwal's new cabinet does not have a single woman
Despite eight of its women candidates winning the election, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's new cabinet does not have a single woman.
This, even as eight AAP women candidates -- Atishi Marlena, Rakhi Birla, Raj Kumari Dhillon, Preeti Tomar, Dhanwati Chandela, Parmila Tokas, Bhavna Gaur and Bandana Kumari emerged victorious in the 2020 Assembly polls.
AAP had centred its poll campaign on women issues like free bus rides for women, safety etc.
A panoramic view of the crowd at the Ramlila Maidan during swearing-in ceremony of AAP government, in New Delhi. (PTI)
"Delhi loves Kejriwal. I love Delhi. This love is for free. Should I start charging for healthcare, education?. It will be a shame if I do that. A time will come when the world will acknowledge India".
Our model is being replicated across the country: Arvind Kejriwal- Delhi people you have created history. Our model is being replicated across the country.
- Politicians come and go but if the city progesses, it's because of these people.
- I am accused of distributing freebies but all good things in the world are free like a mother's love.
"I will not discriminate people based on party ideology": Arvind Kejriwal - In the last five years, we have been trying hard to bring happiness, relief in the lives of people of Delhi. For the next years, we will continue to make similar efforts.
- I am Chief Minister for AAP, BJP, Congress, every other party workers. I have never discriminated against anyone in the last five years.
- For the next five years, I will continue to deliver in a similar manner. My message to two crore people of Delhi--- I will work irrespective of whether you voted for me or not.
"Today your son has taken oath for the third time. This is not my victory, this is a victory for the people of Delhi, every family, every mother, every student. In the last five years, we have been trying hard to bring happiness, relief in the lives of people of Delhi."
Arvind Kejriwal now speaking
Rajendra Pal Gautam, a law graduate from Delhi University, is the sixth minister to take oath today. He was elected to the Delhi assembly in 2015.
Imran Hussain now taking oath. A graduate in Business Studies from Jamia Millia Islamia University, Mr Hussain made his electoral debut in the 2015 Delhi assembly elections.
Kailash Gahlot now taking oath. Mr Gahlot was an advocate in the Supreme Court and the Delhi High Court with over 16 years of 16 legal practice experience.
Gopal Rai, who is a post-graduate in Sociology from Lucknow University, taking oath now. Mr Rai became part of the Delhi cabinet in 2015 after being elected to the assembly for the first time.
Satyendra Jain, a graduate in architecture from the Indian Institute of Architects, took oath after Manish Sisodia.
Manish Sisodia is now taking oath
Arvind Kejriwal takes oath
Arvind Kejriwal is Delhi's only CM to take oath in Ramlila Maidan
Arvind Kejriwal is the first and the only Chief Minister of Delhi who has preferred the historic Ramlila Maidan for his oath ceremonies, while his predecessors took oath in the Raj Niwas.
The venue in the national capital is indeed close to Mr Kejriwal's heart as it was from this place that Kejriwal joined Anna Hazare's India Against Corruption movement in 2011.
In 2015 too, Mr Kejriwal's oath-taking ceremony took place at the Ramlila Maidan. It was held on February 14, coinciding with Valentine's Day. In 2013 after his party's first poll victory, the swearing-in ceremony was again held at the same venue.
No chief ministers from other states invited for swearing-in
While Arvind Kejriwal has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seven BJP parliamentarians who represent the city and all eight newly-elected BJP MLAs to his swearing-in ceremony, none of the chief ministers from other states have been invited for the event billed as a "Delhi-specific" affair.
Arvind Kejriwal with Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal
Arvind Kejriwal will be administered the oath of office and secrecy by Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal shortly.
Referring to himself as "son of Delhi", Mr Kejriwal extended an invitation to Delhiites for his oath ceremony and tweeted, "Am so glad that such large no of people are joining the new politics - kaam ki raajniti."
Arvind Kejriwal's family, including wife Sunita, at Ramlila Maidan
Arvind Kejriwal arrives at Ramlila Maidan
Arvind Kejriwal oath ceremony: 50 people responsible for Delhi 'Nirman' to share stage with Arvind Kejriwal
Arvind Kejriwal swearing-in: Arrangements have been made for around 40,000 people at Ramlila Maidan.
Thousands of AAP supporters have turned up at Ramlila Maidan for the swearing-in ceremony.
"Will ensure our promises are fulfilled": Manish Sisodia
Manish Sisodia said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will work overtime to ensure that all the promises they have made in their election manifesto are fulfilled. His colleague Arvind Kejriwal will take oath as Chief Minister for a third time today at Ramlila Maidan.
"When we entered politics, people used to tell us that politics in this country is about caste and religion, how are you going to survive. But now that we are forming government for a third time, it means our rivals spoke ill about the public. This is the same public who chose Arvind Kejriwal for chief minister for a third time," Mr Sisodia told NDTV this morning.
Arvind Kejriwal swearing-in: Ramlila Maidan covered with tricolours, echoes with patriotic songs
Thousands have turned up here at Ramlila Maidan with tricolours, party flags, posters and placards to extend support to their representative.
As patriotic songs are being played at the Ramlila Maidan, excitement is palpable among party workers as well as the crowd. People have also painted tricolour on their faces.
Traditional dance forms, which are being performed here, is like a treat to watch for the audience.
Wearing AAP's cap, people are cheering for Kejriwal and sloganeering -- "Humara Neta Kaisa ho, Arvind Kejriwal jaisa ho" (Our leader should be like Kejriwal).
A banner stating ''Nayak 2 has come again'' was also seen at the ground. The banner sports a photograph of Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor, the main lead in the film ''Nayak'', on the left and Arvind Kejriwal wearing Aam Aadmi Party''s cap on the right.The poster references 2001 Hindi political thriller ''Nayak'', a remake of Tamil film Mudhalvan (1999) in which Kapoor plays a reporter who becomes chief minister of Maharashtra for a day and strives to eliminate corruption.
Around 50 people from different walks of life who are responsible for ''Delhi nirman'' will share the stage with Kejriwal during his swearing-in ceremony, AAP leader Manish Sisodia said.
Arvind Kejriwal oath ceremony: Traffic advisory for swearing-in ceremony today
Arvind Kejriwal will be sworn in at Ramlila Maidan in the heart of Delhi at 12.15 pm today.
No commercial vehicles or buses will be allowed from--Rajghat chowk and Delhi Gate Chowk towards Guru Nanak Dev Chowk via JLN Marg; Chatta Rail towards Delhi Gate Chowk via Netaji Subhash Marg; Paharganj chowk towards Ajmeri Gate via DBG road; Ram Charan Aggarwal chowk towards Delhi Gate chowk via BSZ marg; DDU Minto road towards Kamla market chowk via Vivekanand marg and Barakhamba Tolstoy towards Ranjit Singh Flyover.
Cars are to parked at the Civic Centre and behind it. Buses have to be parked on Mata Sundri Road, Power House Road, Velodrome Road, Rajghat parking, Shanti Van parking and service roads in Rajghat and Samta Sthal as per requirements, the advisory said.
When We Joined Politics, People Said: Manish Sisodia On AAP's Rise
Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia today said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will work overtime to ensure that all the promises they have made in their election manifesto are fulfilled. His colleague Arvind Kejriwal will take oath as Chief Minister for a third time today at Ramlila Maidan."
"Come Bless Your Son": Arvind Kejriwal invites Delhi to oath ceremony
Ahead of his swearing-in, Chief Minister-designate Arvind Kejriwal tweeted to invite the entire city on the occasion. "Today I will take oath as CM of Delhi for the third time. Do come to the Ramlila Maidan to bless your son," Arvind Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi.
Arvind Kejriwal swearing-in live updates: Tight security at Ramlila Maidan
A multi-level security arrangement has been put in place at Ramlila Maidan.
According to the police, 2,000 to 3,000 personnel from the Delhi Police and paramilitary forces, including the CRPF, will be deployed as part of the security arrangements. Drones are likely to be used for surveillance.
The Aam Aadmi Party has invited 50 people from different walks of life, who have contributed to Delhi''s "nirman", to share the stage with Kejriwal during his swearing-in ceremony.
Know Delhi cabinet ministers, their departments from last term
While the designated Ministers will be taking oath along with Arvind Kejriwal, the Department allocation is yet to happen.
News agency IANS, quoting sources, said the majority of the responsibilities will remain the same, but there could be some changes.
During the 2015-2020 term, while Kejriwal was the Chief Minister, who also looked after the Water Works Department, Manish Sisodia was his deputy with the charge of 11 Departments.
Sisodia headed the Finance, Education, Tourism, Planning, Land and Building, Vigilance,Services, Women and Child Affairs, Art, Culture and Language Departments.
Satyendar Jain was heading the Home, Health, Public Works Department, Power, Industries, Urban Development,Irrigation and Flood Control Departments.
Gopal Rai, the Babarpur MLA, was heading the Labour, Employment, Development and General Administration Departments.
Imran Hussain headed the Food and Supply, and the Elections Departments.
While Hussain was heading the Forest and Environment for most of the term, it was later transfected to Kailash Gahlot towards the end of the tenure.
Gahlot was also responsible for the Transport, Revenue, Law and Justice, Legislative Affairs, Information and Technology, and dministrative Reforms Departments.
Rajendra Pal Gautam was responsible for the Social welfare, SC and ST, Cooperative and Gurudwara Elections Departments.
Arvind Kejriwal swearing-in: 6 ministers to take oath today
Arvind Kejriwal is likely to start his third stint with his old team. Sources say no new ministers are likely to be added to the Delhi cabinet, amid speculation that new faces like Atishi and Raghav Chadha may be included this time.
The old team - Manish Sisodia, Satyendar Jain, Gopal Rai, Kailash Gehlot, Imran Hussain and Rajendra Gautam - were appointed ministers in the Delhi government, an official notification from President Ram Nath Kovind's office said. They are likely to take oath along with Mr Kejriwal today around noon.
Arvind Kejriwal is Delhi's only CM to take oath in Ramlila Maidan
Arvind Kejriwal is the first and the only Chief Minister of Delhi who has preferred the historic Ramlila Maidan for his oath ceremonies, while his predecessors took oath in the Raj Niwas.
The venue in the national capital is indeed close to Mr Kejriwal's heart as it was from this place that Kejriwal joined Anna Hazare's India Against Corruption movement in 2011.
The movement later became Kejriwal's gateway to politics in 2012.
The city went for polls in 2013, and Mr Kejriwal became the Chief Minister of Delhi with the help of the Congress. He took the oath for the first time on December 28, 2013 in the Ramlila Maidan.
Arvind Kejriwal will be administered oath by Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal
Arvind Kejriwal will be administered the oath of office and secrecy by Delhi's Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal.
Referring to himself as "son of Delhi", Mr Kejriwal extended an invitation to Delhiites for his oath ceremony and tweeted, "Am so glad that such large no of people are joining the new politics - kaam ki raajniti."
Big banners with messages like "Dhanyawad Dilli" and "Nayak 2 is Back Again" along with the image of Mr Kejriwal have been put along the route of Ramlila Maidan.
A special guest will be "Baby Mufflerman". The photos of one-year-old, seen wearing spectacles and Mr Kejriwal's signature muffler, went viral earlier this week as the AAP swept the assembly polls.
Arvind Kejriwal swearing-in: Restrictions till 2 pm around Ramlila Maidan
Restrictions have been put in place in the Ramlila Maidan area from 8 am to 2 pm for the swearing-in ceremony.
As per the advisory, vehicles can be parked behind Civic Centre, Mata Sundari Road, Power House Road, Veladrome Road, Rajghat Road, Shanti Van Parking, Service Roads Rajghat and Samta Sthal.
PM Modi not to attend Arvind Kejriwal oath ceremony
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to give the swearing-in ceremony a miss; he is scheduled to visit his constituency Varanasi to inaugurate various projects.
Arvind Kejriwal will take oath at 12:15 pm at national capital's iconic Ramlila Maidan.