Aam Aadmi Party - Common people party India (tu). SA we can dream

In his first address as the chief minister of Delhi, Arvind Kerjriwal hit several right notes - some perfectly in line with the traditional style of Indian politicking, some surprisingly unaffected, some high on idealism and some laudably sharp.

And perfectly in line with the thrust of his party, Kejriwal came up with a grandiose beginning to his appeal to the people of Delhi. He said, "Today, it was not me who was sworn-in as the chief minister of Delhi, the six ministers standing with me have not been sworn-in. Every aam aadmi in Delhi has sworn in as the chief minister of Delhi today."

He admitted that it is no less than a miracle that a movement which started just two-and-half-years back has culminated in him taking oath as the chief minister.
He then brought out his humility card and continued in a strong self deprecating streak. He warned his party members, MLAs and his ministers of not growing the kind of hubris that can fell a party. "Never let pride grow inside you. Let it never happen that like we had to finish corrupt parties, some other party has to come up to end our hubris. Remember, our battle was not to become ministers and MLAs. Our idea was to serve the aam aadmi. Whenever you meet people in your constituency, meet him with folded hands, like you have been doing so far," he said. He specifically also warned party workers to not do anything that betrays audacity, pride in having won. India is not stranger to the change of tone in public outreach programmes and behaviour of a party once they come to power - in fact, one of India's favourite reasons to be cynical about the county's politics is the obvious change in tone and colour of a party's approach once it wins. With this declaration, Kejriwal, at least verbally addressed similar apprehensions among his voters and supporters.

In a moment of near-brutal honesty Kejriwal admitted that the magnitude of the responsibility that has been placed on his shoulders scares him. "It scares me, the kind of hopes you have on me. But this is not just our government, it is your government. You have to help us succeed, you have to help us implement our ideas. I just hope that God gives us enough strength to fight all challenges," he said. Now what is more appealing to a regular aam aadmi than a leader to admits to fear, trepidation in a language he himself does? While most other emotions - sympathy, pain, concern - risk sounding phony in a political context, fear and apprehension is something that doesn't sound as concocted.

He is 45 years old.

He has appointed a 26 year old to the Delhi Cabinet.

-D