Arvind Kejriwal wields the broom, shuffles Delhi bureaucrats

The leader of an upstart anti-graft party was sworn in Saturday as chief minister of India’s capital in what supporters hoped would start the clean-up of the nation’s corruption-ridden politics.

Soon after taking office, the anti-corruption crusader transferred nine senior bureaucrats, including the CEO of the Delhi Jal Board, NDTV reported.

On his first day in office as Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal worked for six straight hours, it said.

Tens of thousands of supporters cheered as 45-year-old Kejriwal took the oath of office in a public park after living up to his “common man” reputation by riding the subway to the ceremony.

“I will do my duties as a minister honestly,” said Kejriwal, a political outsider who led his Aam Aadmi — Common Man — Party on the election symbol broom to a stunning showing in state polls this month.

One of Kejriwal’s senior aides, Manish Sisodia, who is the Minister for Education, met the Director of Education, and called for scrapping of the management quota in admissions. He also said he will keep a close watch on the donation system and the nursery admission process will be a top priority, NDTV said.

It quoted Law Minister Somnath Bharti as saying that security of women will be her ministry’s top priority and cases relating to violence against women should be wrapped up within six months.

Rakhi Birla, one of the youngest to take oath at 26, and is in-charge of the women and child welfare department, told NDTV that she has brought retired armymen on board to seek advice on improving the security of women in the national capital.