By Rahul Vaishnavi, IANS,
New Delhi : As I approached the historic Ramlila Maidan Saturday, the excitement in the air was palpable as hundreds of supporters of Arvind Kejriwal marched towards the sprawling ground holding posters of their leader, waiving the tri-colour and chanting patriotic slogans of ‘vande mataram.’
The mood was electrifying.
After clearing multiple security check points, that included passing through a metal detector and manual frisking, when I finally entered the sprawling, but spruced up ground — the sight that greeted me was overwhelming.
On my left was a sea of white caps as tens of thousands of people of all ages stood together waving the national tri-colour, posters of Arvind Kejriwal in all shapes and sizes, colourful balloons and spiky brooms — the party’s election symbol.
‘Aam Aadmi Party zindabad’ (long live AAP), ‘mujhe chahiye swaraj’ (I want self-rule) and mujhe chahiye poori azadi (I want complete independence), were some of the messages printed on either sides of the white AAP caps.
There was sporadic sloganeering which revolved around praising Kejriwal, demanding the Jan Lokpal bill and ending corruption.
One could not help but reminisce about Kerjiwal’s last appearance at the same venue as deputy of Gandhian Anna Hazare, who had gone on a fast unto death demanding a strong Jan Lokpal bill in 2011. The AAP was born out of that movement in Nov 26, 2012.
At the front end of Ramlila Maidan was a yellow coloured podium bedecked with garlands of marigold and chrysanthemum flowers as well as red roses. Three podiums — one on the extreme left for announcements — were set up. These were decorated with garlands made of red and white roses.
To my right was a massive platform where all the electronic media had set up their equipment, all ready to broadcast the ceremony live.
Just as I settled into a corner from where I could see the ceremony clearly, Kejriwal along with his six soon-to-be sworn in ministers and the Delhi Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung arrived on the dais.
The crowd went wild as it cheered, clapped, whistled and shouted slogans in support of Kejriwal and others.
Armed with camera phones, they eagerly shot videos and clicked pictures of the six ministers and Kejriwal.
After he waved to the cheering masses, everybody quietened down as the national anthem was played in the background before the ceremony began.
The first to be given the oath of office was Kejriwal and as the 45-year-old spoke the last lines of the oath to become the seventh chief minister of Delhi, it was an emotional moment for many in the crowd as their eyes welled up.
Keriwal’s speech, after the ceremony concluded, further charged up the crowd. He made people take a solemn pledge that they would never give or take bribes. The crowd pledged in unison.
Some of the journalists around me too joined in but were quickly hushed by those recording the speech.
Celebrations began outside the ground as the event concluded. While some danced to drumbeats, others blew conch shells and sang patriotic songs in the hope that change, which all have been expecting and waiting for, will come soon.
But, despite the huge crowds, everything was orderly with newly sworn-in minister Manish Sisodia and Kejriwal appealing to the people to be disciplined and not to break rules and spoil the name of the party.
(Rahul Vaishnavi can be contacted at [email protected])