‘We are using public transport to bring an end to the VIP culture’
Delhi’s chief minister designate Arvind Kejriwal, who is determined to end the ubiquitous “VIP culture”, will take the Delhi Metro Saturday to reach Ramlila Maidan to take his oath.
Kejriwal, 45, has also told his six party colleagues who will be sworn in as cabinet ministers to use the public transport — and invited everyone in the capital and elsewhere to attend the official event.
“I will travel by Metro for the oath taking ceremony,” Kejriwal told the media outside the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) office here.
Manish Sisodia, a party leader, said Kejriwal had told his six proposed ministers to also use the public transport to reach Ramlila Maidan, a sprawling ground in the heart of Delhi.
“We are using public transport to bring an end to the VIP culture,” Sisodia told reporters outside Kejriwal’s residence in Kaushambi adjoining Delhi.
Added Somnath Bharti, who too will be sworn in as minister: “We have not stitched (special) dresses (for the event). We are going to be normal.
“None of our family members will have special seats, not even the MLAs,” he said.
In a separate tweet, Kejriwal, who will head a minority government with Congress backing, said everyone was welcome to the Ramlila Maidan Saturday.
“Many people (are) asking me for passes for (the) oath ceremony. No passes needed. All are welcome. It’s (your) programme,” he said.
“My family will also sit (among the) public,” said the father of two whose wife works for the income tax department, where Kejriwal too worked until he decided to embrace social activism and, later, politics.
Kejriwal has already refused to accept security from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh Police — he lives in Ghaziabad district neighbouring Delhi — and refused to use official vehicles with red beacons.
The AAP, which stunned everyone by bagging 28 of the 70 seats in the Delhi election, just three seats behind the BJP, is expecting thousands of people to throng the Ramlila Maidan Saturday.
Delhi Police sources said some 25,000 chairs had been provided at the ground, which can also reportedly accommodate around 50,000 more people if they stand.
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