Capping a momentous election victory journey, Arvind Kejriwal is sworn-in as Delhi Chief Minister along with six other ministers, and, in a first, decides not to keep any portfolio with himself. Here are the brief profiles of six ministers.
Sisodia, second-in-command who started as journalist
From journalism to anti-graft activism to the number two position in
Apart from being Kejriwal's deputy, Sisodia will handle education, urban development and PWD -- the second most important departments as they need an interface with the Centre. Son of a teacher, the 43-year-old will implement AAP's educational agenda, which includes building of new schools and colleges and enhancing the infrastructure.
Sisodia started his career as a journalist after attaining a diploma in journalism, but he was more attracted to social work. He first formed NGO Kabir and then Parivartan, along with Kejriwal. He later quit journalism to participate in the agitation for Right To Information.
When Kejriwal decided to form the Aam Aadmi Party, Sisodia stood with him like a rock. He is also one of the founder members of the party and a member of the all powerful Political Affairs Committee (PAC). A two-time legislator, Sisodia has won from Patparganj constituency defeating BJP's Vinod Kumar Binny who was expelled from the party last year.
Giant-killer Asim Ahmed Khan gets cabinet berth
From being a member of AAP's minority wing to securing a cabinet berth, Asim Ahmed Khan of AAP Khan is known as the 'giant-killer' for defeating five-time MLA Shoaib Iqbal in Matia Mahal assembly constituency.
Khan defeated Iqbal in Matia Mahal by a margin of over 26,000 votes but more importantly, AAP's minority wing played a crucial role in swinging in minority votes away from Congress, which led to a massive landslide victory for Kejriwal-led party.
Khan has been appointed as the new minister for Food and Civil Supply, Environment and
38-year-old Khan is a graduate from
Satyendar Jain rewarded for his loyalty to Kejriwal
An architect by qualification, softspoken Satyendar Jain has been given the charge of key Health and Power departments in the new AAP government, a reward for his loyalty to party chief Arvind Kejriwal. At 50, Jain is the oldest member of Kejriwal-led government.
Media-shy and softspoken, Jain has been given the portfolio for his 'good work' done in his earlier stint when he was credited with have ensured adequate stock of medicines in the hospitals. Apart from Health, he has also been given important portfolios like industries and PWD.
Besides Sisodia, a close confidant of Kejriwal, Jain is the only minister from the earlier AAP government who has found place in the new cabinet.
Jain has been associated with Kejriwal since India Against Corruption days. When Kejriwal formed Aam Aadmi Party, he also joined him to be a part of the new organisation. He won the assembly elections from Shakur Basti, a pre-dominantly Muslim area. This time, he defeated BJP's S C Vats by a narrow margin of 3,133 votes.
Gopal Rai — fiery orator who helped build AAP's base
Known as a fiery orator, Gopal Rai was a former student leader who came into limelight during Anna Hazare's anti-graft movement and later played a key role in building Aam Aadmi party at the grassroot level after its launch in November 2012.
Rai, who has been associated with Kejriwal since his India Against Corruption (IAC) days, will be the new transport and labour minister of
The 39-year-old unsuccessfully contested Assembly election from Babarpur in 2013, ending at third position.
However, he bounced back this time and won with a margin of 35,000 votes against BJP's Naresh Gaur.
Rai began his career with All India Students Association in
Like Sisodia, he too joined Kejriwal to form the Aam Aadmi Party. He is also a member of the Political Affairs Committee- party's apex decision making body.
On 13 December 2013, the fourth day of social activist Anna Hazare's indefinite hunger strike for passage of Jan Lokpal Bill in Ralegaon Siddhi, a verbal spat between VK Singh and Gopal Rai took place, forcing the Gandhian activist to ask Rai to leave the venue.
Lawyer Sandeep Kumar gets ministerial berth
A lawyer by profession, Sandeep Kumar won by one of the biggest margins in the
34-year-old Kumar had defeated four-time MLA from Sultanpur Majra, Jai Kishen, by 64,439 votes getting the giant-killer tag. He had the highest margin of victory in terms of percentage. In the 2013 elections, contesting from the same constituency, he had lost by 1,112 votes.
He did his LLB from the
Kumar came in touch with Kejriwal for the first time during the India Against Corruption campaign in 2012. He is known to contest cases of the poor and socially backward persons free of cost. He has been given the charge of SC/ST Welfare and Women and Child Welfare.
Jitender Tomar — lawyer gets crucial home, law depts
Jitender Singh Tomar, a lawyer with Congress background, is
Tomar has been given charge of crucial Home department, which was earlier handled by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal himself. He has also been given the charge of tourism, art and culture.
48-year-old Tomar joined the AAP in 2013. Before that he was associated with Congress though he never fought an election. He holds an LLB degree from
The Delhi High Court on February 6 issued a notice to him over allegations that he enrolled as an advocate on a "false and bogus" degree, charges which he has denied.
He contested from Tri Nagar in last assembly polls, but lost by a narrow margin. However, the party renominated him this time and he trounced BJP's Nand Kishore Garg by 22,311 votes. — PTI
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