Kejriwal speech: What he should and should not have said

The theory of evolution, of survival of the fittest, is a story of the survival of the species that can adapt to change as quickly as possible. Those who can not, perish. Once agnostic Arvind Kejriwal has become a believer, but he is also an example of Darwin’s theory of survival of the quickest at play. He has learnt from his mistakes, and is a different man today. Yet, in many ways, he is the same man whom Delhi has grown to love.

Arvind Kejriwal took oath of office today, and delivered a "campaign speech" where he reassured the people of the change he has undergone, and the ways he's still the same. He took swipes at the Bharatiya Janata Party, yet made it clear that he expected the Narendra Modi government at the Centre to help him in governing Delhi.

He remains an anti-corruption crusader, and in favour of austerity, but this time he would accept the bungalow, the cavalcade, high-level security and other fringe benefits that come along with the position. That’s a change, he knows, people will not grudge him. People, and he knows this too, grudge the arrogance of power. He assured them that he'd not acquire any chip, and asked his supporters to ensure that their shoulders, too, remained free of one.

Here are five things remarkable about his post-oath speech:

1.) Do not spare the topi

In a country where a party flag on a car makes political workers immune from traffic rules, he asked the police and other agencies to not spare men in AAP topi in case they are found violating the law. It’s better to nip the political goon in the bud than let him bloom and become the source of stink.

2.) Show me the harmony

Recently, Delhi has seen some unpleasant communal strife, and Arvind Kejriwal made it a point to call for harmony. He said people want to live in harmony and it is the duty of all to reign in the troublemakers. Religion is to celebrate, not to desecrate the sacred bond of humanity that binds the society.

3.) Sab ka saath

Apart from seeking cooperation from the central government, he also said that he would work with and seek guidance from Kiran Bedi and Ajay Maken, who lead the opposing parties, in running the city. Hesaid that he considered the 3 Opposition MLAs his own. “The aam aadmi’s sarkar is everyone’s government, whether you voted for us or not. I am everyone’s chief minister.”

4.) Pay your taxes

While assuring traders and businessmen of no harassment by Delhi’s notorious babudom, he asked them to be honest in paying their share of taxes. He made it clear that the taxes would be utilised in making Delhi better, and that nobody will steal from the coffers. He also repeated his "sting the corrupt" message.

5.) Cricket and song

He unwittingly promoted a paracetamol brand, when he referred to the fever he was running. But the temperature didn’t stop him from singing his favourite “Insaan se insaan ka ho bhaichara", the song that he had sung after his first oath. Apart from Shivraj Singh Chouhan, wehaven't really seen CMs singing in public.

He also wished the Indian cricket team luck as they play their first match tomorrow.

Three things that he could have avoided:

1.) Claiming God is telling us something

Taking an oath in the name of god is a custom. But crediting the victory to god takes you to slippery ground. “This is a miracle. God is trying to tell us something. We’re just mediums. God has given me this responsibility,” he said. Mr Kejriwal, the people of Delhi voted you to power; they worked this miracle, if it is one. They are trying to tell you something. Do not try to credit god for your success. Do not blame god for your failures.

2.) Patronising the mediaThe media has played a big role in the larger-than-life persona that he enjoys today. Media gave him the limelight it doesn’t often give to other, and some deserving, activists. The media questions all governments, and will question his government, too. They might be impatient, but they are impatient with every government. Media is used to his frequent barbs, but this wasn’t the occasion.

3.) No woman. No woman.Delhi has a small Cabinet of only six ministers. He managed to induct a religious minority representative; he could have got one of the six women MLAs into it, too. Women voters have played a big role in this big mandate. He has capable women colleagues, yet his party’s ruling committee has no woman. His government could have done with one.