Meet the ministers in Arvind Kejriwal’s team

mangaloretoday.com

New Delhi, Dec 28: Arvind Kejriwal, 45, today took oath as Delhi’s seventh chief minister. He and his ministers were sworn in at Ramlila Maidan, a massive public park in the heart of the city. Soon after assuming charge, Mr Kejriwal held a press conference and announced the portfolios of the six other members of his Cabinet. He has kept key portfolios including Home, Finance, Power, and Vigilance with himself.

Like Mr Kejriwal, who defeated three-time chief minister Sheila Dikshit in her constituency by 25,000 votes, most of his ministers were political novices who are now called "giant killers".

 

Manish Sisodia: A 41-year-old former journalist who came to light during the Jan Lokpal movement, Sisodia routed Nakul Bhardwaj of the BJP by 11,478 votes from Patparganj. He holds a diploma in journalism. He was born in a Rajput family in Hapur district of Uttar Pradesh.

Portfolio: PWD, Education, Urban Development


Rakhi Birla: Another former journalist, she is the youngest in the ministers’ list. The 26-year-old holds a Masters degree in Journalism from the National Broadcasting Academy in Sarojini Nagar in south Delhi. She defeated Raj Kumar Chauhan, a minister in the Sheila Dikshit government, from Mangolpuri by 10,585 votes.

Portfolio: Women and Child Social Welfare


Somnath Bharti: He pursued a degree in law from Delhi University after doing his Masters in Science from IIT-Delhi. He was also president of the IIT-Delhi alumni association. Born in Bihar, the 39-year-old moved to Delhi in 1992. He defeated two heavyweights - BJP’s Arti Mehra and Kiran Walia of Congress - in Malviya Nagar.

Portfolio: Tourism, Law, Administrative Reforms


Saurabh Bhardwaj: A computer engineer by profession, he completed his B.Tech from Indraprastha University. Bhardwaj also studied law from Osmania University. The 34-year-old was born and raised in Delhi. He defeated Ajay Kumar Malhotra, son of veteran BJP leader VK Malhotra, by 13,092 votes in Greater Kailash.

Portfolio: Food and Supply, Transport, Environment


Girish Soni: The 49-year-old businessman defeated BJP’s Kailash Sankla by 1,103 votes from the Madipur seat. Soni, who owns a leather goods business in Madipur, studied up to Class 12 from the Senior Secondary School, Madipur, and has always resided in Delhi. He has been associated with the party since ’India Against Corruption’ days.

Portfolio: SC & ST, Employment, Development


Satyendra Jain: He is an architect by profession and used to work with the Central Public Works Department. The 49-year-old Jain won the Shakur Basti seat defeating BJP candidate Shyam Lal Garg by 7,062 votes.

Portfolio: Health, Industry