Delhi’s new chief minister vows to root out corruption

Arvind Kejriwal promised to make Delhi India's first corruption-free state and end what he called its "VIP culture" as he was sworn in as chief minister yesterday in front of a huge crowd of cheering supporters.

The veteran anti-graft campaigner also pledged to stick out his five-year term and said he would not succumb to arrogance after his upstart Aam Aadmi (Common Man) Party (AAP) won one of the biggest election victories Delhi has ever seen.

Kejriwal's first term as chief minister lasted just 49 days and ended in chaos a year ago, sparking accusations that he was fleeing the tough job of administrating Delhi state.

Despite that, his party took all but three of the 70 state parliament seats in elections held on February 7 after pledges to tackle entrenched corruption and to lower utility bills won over working-class voters willing to give him a second chance.

It was a remarkable turnaround for the 46-year-old former civil servant, whom most pundits had written off after his AAP won just four seats in last year's general elections.

"I have decided that for the next five years we will only focus on Delhi. I will serve Delhi with all my heart," he told the crowd in his inauguration speech.