NEW DELHI: Arvind Kejriwal, whose AAP has rewritten the grammar of politics in Delhi and may possibly do so elsewhere, on Saturday took oath as Delhi Chief Minister promising a corruption-free government and new style of governance without arrogance of power.

Fortyfive-year-old Kejriwal, a former Revenue Service official, who broke from Anna Hazare's campaign for the Lokpal and scored a stunning debut in electoral politics winning 28 of the 70 seats, took the oath of office and secrecy at a public ceremony at the historic Ramlila Maidan, the fast venue of the anti-graft campaigners more than two years ago.

Along with Kejriwal, six others — Manish Sisodia, Girish Soni, Rakhi Birla, Satyendra Jain, Saurabh Bharadwaj and Somnath Bharti — took oath as ministers administered by Lt Governor Najeeb Jung.

Sporting his trademark Gandhi cap, proclaiming that "I am an aam admi', Kejriwal wore a blue pullover over bush shirt and trousers discarding the traditional 'kurta-pyjama' of politicians.

Hazare and his associate Kiran Bedi, who were invited to the function, kept away from it as did several political leaders, including outgoing Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.

BJP leader Harsh Vardhan, who would be the Leader of the Opposition in the new Assembly, was the lone prominent politician to be present. Kejriwal even praised him as an honest person. Shoiab Iqbal, JD(U) MLA, was also present.

In a short speech after the formalities were over, Kejriwal said the Aam Admi Party has come with a promise to provide governance different from the one given by corrupt parties.

Asserting that it is a very historic day, Kejriwal said, "The oath we are taking today is not of Arvind Kejriwal and the other ministers but people of Delhi have taken the oath.

"The whole fight is not to make Arvind Kejriwal a Chief Minister but it is for a change of governance in Delhi".

The new Chief Minister said the huge responsibility thrust upon him has instilled a sense of fear in him. "I don't claim to have a magic wand or remedies for all the ills but if the 1.5 crore people of Delhi join him there is no reason why all the problems can't be solved," he said.

Asking his ministers to adopt service as a motto, Kejriwal cautioned them against getting arrogant with power.

"We should not get arrogant. Don't get arrogant ever. Work for the people with service as the goal. We have not come here to become ministers. We were born to remove the arrogance of big parties. We should be wary that no other party has to take birth to dismantle us," he said.

Making anti-corruption his main plank, Kejriwal asked people not to turn away officials asking bribes but to help in catching them red-handed by laying a trap.

Conscious of the minority status of his government, he appealed to all the parties including the BJP and the Congress, to support his government in all its right steps. However, he made it clear that he was not bothered about the confidence vote the government has to face by January 3, saying he is ready to face the people if it is defeated.

"We will get back to power with a thumping majority," he said to a thunderous applause from the huge crowd that had gathered from the capital and the surrounding areas in the National Capital Region.

Talking about his mentor Anna Hazare, Kejriwal said, "Anna used to say that politics is dirty. Two-and-a-half years back, Annaji held a 13-day fast to remove corruption and to get the Janlokpal bill passed.

"In these last two years, we did every possible thing. We fasted, agitated but nothing happened. Gradually, it became clear that without changing country's politics we cannot get rid of corruption," he said.

"I used to suggest Anna that if we want to clean the system, then we will have to get down in this 'dirty politics'," he said

"Two years ago we could not think of such a revolution that we could remove corrupt parties. But its nature's miracle. It is only a beginning," he said.

Riding on AAP's success in Delhi, he said, "In the next five years if we take the right steps I think India can become a golden bird".

Flaunting his 'aam admi' (common man) credentials, Kejriwal, who lives in a modest flat in Kaushambi in Ghaziabad district of Uttar Pradesh, took a Metro train to Delhi to reach Barakhamba station, a distance of 20 km, from where he drove in his Maruti car to Ramlila Maidan.

Straight from the oath ceremony, Kejriwal went to Rajghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, a short distance away, and paid homage.

Born in Siwani in Haryana, Kejriwal becomes the second youngest Chief Minister of Delhi. Chaudhry Brahm Prakash was the youngest Chief Minisiter at 34 when he took over in 1952. 

Portfolios of Kejriwal and his team

The following are the portfolios of Delhi's new Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his Cabinet of six ministers:

Arvind Kejriwal: Ministries of Home, Power, Planning, Higher Education, Finance, Services and Vigilance.

Manish Sisodia: Education, Higher Education, Public Works Department, Urban Development and Local Bodies.

Somnath Bharti: Administrative Reforms, Law, Tourism, Art and Culture Ministries.

Saurabh Bhardwaj: Transport, Food Supply and Environment.

Rakhi Birla: Women and Child Development, Social Welfare and Languages. She has also been given charge of making special arrangements to ensure women's safety in the national Capital.

Girish Soni: Ministries of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, Employment, Development and Labour.

Satyendra Jain: Ministries of Health, Industries, and gurdwara elections. — Agencies

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday called up Arvind Kejriwal and congratulated him on becoming the Chief Minister of Delhi and promised support to him.

During the telephonic talk, Dr Singh extended best wishes and support to Kejriwal as he undertakes new responsibilities, the Prime Minister’s Office said.

The Congress, BJP and Left parties too congratulated Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, hoping that the new government will “live up to the expectations” of the people and fulfil promises made by his Aam Aadmi Party during the Assembly polls.

Congress general secretary Shakeel Ahmed said the party will “continue their support” if the new regime fulfils the promises made earlier.

“He has become the Chief Minister... and I hope he will fulfil the promises based on which people voted for him and his party. I congratulate him. I wish he is able to fulfil the expectations of the people,” he said.

“The job of running a government is with the ruling party and we’ll all work together. Delhi people have problems of electricity, water, jhuggi and pucca houses, and permanent jobs for contractual employees...and if they fulfil those promises, Congress will continue to support the new government,” he added.

BJP President Rajnath Singh too congratulated Delhi’s seventh Chief Minister on Saturday while refraining from attacking AAP, whose spectacular debut in the 70-member Delhi Assembly polls stopped BJP from forming government in the national Capital though it emerged as the single largest party.

“I heartily congratulate Kejriwal on taking the oath of office and secrecy. And, I wish AAP and Congress together will give a stable government. And, their government will fully live up to the expectations of the people. I wish the government fulfils the promises made,” Singh said.

The BJP chief, however, added that he would not give a “reaction” on the occasion as it is “not appropriate”.

“Because in a healthy democracy, all must maintain a certain decorum,” he said.

Leading a fledgling party that stunned both political heavyweights in the Delhi polls, Kejriwal on Saturday took charge of the government as the seventh Chief Minister of Delhi, hailing it as “not AAP’s government but of the 1.5 crore people of Delhi”.

The swearing-in ceremony took place at the jam-packed historic Ramlila Maidan, the venue that earlier saw Kejriwal coming into limelight as a national anti-corruption champion before he took a plunge into mainstream politics calling for a “systemic change”.

Dressed in his usual ‘aam aadmi’ avatar, Kejriwal in his 20-minute speech promised to the people a “corruption-free government” and a new style of governance without “arrogance of power”.

CPI extended support to AAP government in Delhi in fighting corruption and take other measures to benefit the people, saying the stands of both parties were “almost similar” on most major issues.

In a letter to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, CPI Delhi unit secretary Dhirendra Sharma said he welcomed “the positive change” brought in by the electorate of Delhi after “discarding the Congress and BJP.” — PTI

BHIWANI (Haryana): A sleepy town, Siwani, was a hub of activity on Saturday as locals took out a march with brooms in their hands to celebrate the rise of the son of the soil Arvind Kejriwal, who was sworn in as Delhi Chief Minister, and burst fire crackers.

While several people from Siwani and nearby villages went to Delhi to witness Kejriwal’s oath-taking ceremony, those who stayed back broke into celebrations.

Residents of Siwani took out a march waving brooms, the AAP’s election symbol, in their hands and burst fire crackers.

While 45-year-old Kejriwal’s ancestors hailed from Kheda village of Bhiwani, the family is now based in Siwani village in the same district, over 300 km from here.

The house where Kejriwal was born was brimming with visitors who also met his father Murari Lal (78) and congratulated him on the success of his son.

As Lal was not in good health, he did not travel to Delhi to witness the oath-taking ceremony in Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan.

Lal had advised his son to adopt path of honesty and hard working.

Rajesh Kedia, who had studied with Kejriwal, said, “We are very proud of Arvind Kejriwal and entire Siwani is celebrating his success.” 

Kanwar Pal Singh of village Khera, where Kejriwal was born, hoped he would complete his five-year term.

Jitender Sardana, who runs a mobile shop, said he would invite his friend Kejriwal to Siwani soon. — PTI

Anantapur (AP): Twenty-six persons, including two children, were killed and 13 injured when a fire swept through an AC coach of the Bangalore-Nanded Express in the district in the wee hours today.

The fire broke out at 3:30 am in the B1 coach packed with 64 passengers at Kothacheravu Railway Station.

"So far 26 persons have died in the incident. Rescue operations are still going on," Anantpur District SP S Senthil Kumar told PTI.

A majority of the passengers were sleeping when the fire broke out.

SP of Guntakal Railway Police Janardhan said 13 persons were injured in the mishap and have been shifted to various hospitals in Anantpur.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed shock and grief over the loss of lives in the mishap.

He also spoke to Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge and inquired about the rescue and relief work being carried out at the accident site.

Describing the incident as "tragic" and "most unfortunate", Kharge ordered an enquiry into the incident by Commissioner of Railway Safety.

The Railway Minister announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased, Rs 1 lakh in case of grievous injuries and Rs 50,000 for simple injuries.

He has also asked senior railway officials such as Member Electrical and Director General Health to rush to the spot.

Chairman, Railway Board, Arunendra Kumar said the reason behind the accident is yet to be ascertained. — PTI

DUBAI: Veteran actor Farooq Sheikh, who is best remembered for his performances in films like 'Garm Hava', 'Shatranj Ke Khiladi', 'Chashme Buddoor' and 'Kissi Se Na Kehna', died after suffering a heart attack in Dubai.

He was 65.

"He has passed away," a family member told PTI, without disclosing any further details.

The actor was in Dubai apparently for a concert when he suffered the heart attack on late Friday night.

His body will be brought to Mumbai later in the day after completing the formalities in Dubai.

Sheikh made a tremendous contribution in theatre, films and TV as well. He started his career in Bollywood in 1973 with 'Garm Hava' and is best remembered for his performances in films like 'Shatranj Ke Khiladi', 'Chashme Buddoor', 'Kissi Se Na Kehna', 'Noorie'.

His last film was 'Club 60' and before that he was seen playing the role of a father to Ranbir Kapoor in 'Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani'.

He also hosted the popular Zee TV show "Jeena Issi Ka Naam Hai" in which he interviewed many Bollywood celebrities. — PTI