From Haryana to Kerala, Kejriwal supporters flood Delhi

NEW DELHI: Cutting across religion and social ranks, they came to the city from as far as Kerala, while other dropped in from neighbouring states to see and hear the "favourite" chief minister speak on the historic occasion.

Hailed by countless admirers and supporters as the "ambassador of the common man", AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal today assumed charge as the chief minister of Delhi, and people poured in by the hordes at the Ramlila Maidan just to catch a glimpse of him.

Social worker Naveen from Kottayam district in Kerala, came to the venue carrying a banner, bearing a message for Kejriwal in Malayalam that said -- 'The poor man's commander would today become the king'.

He said, about 20 people arrived today from Kottayam to witness the day. "I had been here two months ago though to support the party during campaign days."

With a festive aura hung about in the air, the chief minister also had a few visitors from the holy town of Barsana in Mathura.

"We have come from the city of Radha and brought 'prasad' from the Radha Rani Temple for him. Since, our town Barsana is famous for Holi, we will later go to his house in Kaushambi and invite the Delhi chief minister to festival of colours," Radha Rani Temple's priest Govind Ram Munim told PTI.

But, the desire to see the chief minister, who made a spectacular comeback to power in the national capital by bagging 67 seats in a 70-member House, cut across region, religion and social rank.

Cousins Hamid Qureshi and Asif Qureshi, street hawkers, hailing from Muzaffarnagar (UP), said they came to Ramlila for the first time in their lives.

"We knew we had to come. So, we travelled together to see him speak. We had heard so much about him (Kejriwal) and now after this election, our respect for him has only grown," Hamid, who sells sweetmeats, said.

Both brothers also sported the trademark "5 saal Kejriwal/Mai Hoon Aam Aadmi" white caps in a show of solidarity.

Kundal Kumar, a member of AAP's Rohtas District team in Bihar said, people came in hordes from the state to attend the day's programme.

"Trains like Sampooran Kranti were jam-packed with people. A few hundred of us have come from Sasaram (Rohtas' disrict headquarters). For us, it is a moment for jubilation and celebration," Kumar said.