DHAKA: Wearing his trademark white cap, Arvind Kejriwal was sworn in as the chief minister of Delhi today, as thousands of people cheered for him at Ram Lila Maidan, a massive public park in the heart of the city.

The bespectacled 45-year-old rode the metro to the ceremony.  His decision to use public transport echoes his pre-poll promise to end the VIP culture of Delhi`s political elite and set a down-to-earth tone for his new administration, reports NDTV.

"This is the fight for independence from corruption, hunger and poverty," he said this morning as he left his house. "It is the common man`s victory. Action will start as soon as we take the oath."

At Ramlila Maidan, posters declared "Aaj ka CM, Kal Ka PM (Chief Minister today, Prime Minister tomorrow)."

The public ground is where Kejriwal flanked activist Anna Hazare as they held a massive demonstration against government corruption two years ago.

Kejriwal`s Aam Aadmi Party made a stunning electoral debut, winning 28 assembly seats in recent state polls and delivering a stinging defeat to the Congress party.  

The rookie party`s symbol is a broom -- to underline its commitment to sweeping away India`s culture of bribery and corruption that has become endemic in politics and in daily life.

Unlike his predecessors, Kejriwal has said he and his ministers will not occupy the sprawling bungalows surrounded by lush lawns in Delhi.

He plans to keep living in his fourth-storey flat in the Delhi suburb of Ghaziabad and has declined police protection.

BDST: 1248 HRS, DEC 28, 2013
RS