Arvind Kejriwal and his six-member Cabinet will take oath at a function in Ramila Maidan here on Saturday. Hectic background discussions are underway to frame the policy of the Aam Aadmi Party.
The new Government is likely to announce major decisions, including the Government audit of power distribution companies and reducing electricity charges.
The party is also keen to probe the alleged corruption under the erstwhile Congress regime in the city. There are indications that the V.K. Shunglu committee report on the Commonwealth Games is likely to see a new light under the Kejriwal’s regime. The report has references against former Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.
Kejriwal said his Government would work on easing water supply within 24 hours. “Every colony has its own problems. We are also working on the reduction in power tariff,” he said.
The Congress, which is supporting the AAP government from outside, said it would resist any efforts at witch-hunt. “We will definitely raise our voices if any party tries to settle its political vendetta and does something,” Delhi Congress president Arvinder Singh said. Kejriwal’s decision to take oath on Saturday was taken after a meeting with Delhi Chief Secretary D.M. Spolia. The party had announced on Tuesday that Manish Sisodia, Rakhi Birla, Somnath Bharti, Saurabh Bhardwaj, Girish Soni and Satyendra Jain would join Kejriwal’s Cabinet.
The party had its bit of fire-fighting after Lakshmi Nagar MLA, V.K. Binny, expressed his displeasure over the selection of Ministers. Kejriwal, however, said there were no differences. He said his Government would focus on the 18 issues listed earlier, including passing a Delhi Jan Lokpal Bill within 15 days of assuming power.
Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung’s office said the President had approved AAP’s proposal to form a Government in Delhi on Tuesday. “The President of India has been pleased to appoint Arvind Kejriwal, Leader of the Aam Aadmi Legislature Party as Chief Minister of the National Capital Territory of Delhi with effect from the date he is sworn in,” a release from Jung’s office said.
jigeesh.am@thehindu.co.in