Arvind Kejriwal – Aam Aadmi Party Leader and Former Delhi Chief Minister
Arvind Kejriwal (born on 16 August 1968) is an Indian politician, social activist, and former bureaucrat who has been serving as the Chief Minister (CM) of Delhi since February 2015. He is the National Convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and a key figure in Indian politics, known for his anti-corruption movement and governance model focusing on education, healthcare, and public welfare.
Early Life and Education
Arvind Kejriwal was born into an upper-middle-class Agrawal family in Siwani, Bhiwani district, Haryana. His father, Gobind Ram Kejriwal, was an electrical engineer, and his mother, Gita Devi, was a homemaker. Kejriwal spent his early years in Sonipat, Hisar, and Ghaziabad and completed his schooling at Campus School, Hisar, and Holy Child School, Sonipat.
In 1985, he cleared the IIT-JEE exam with an All India Rank (AIR) of 563 and pursued a B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering at IIT Kharagpur.
Career Before Politics
After graduating, Kejriwal joined Tata Steel in Jamshedpur in 1989. However, he left the job in 1992 to prepare for the Civil Services Examination. During this period, he worked with Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity, Ramakrishna Mission, and Nehru Yuva Kendra in rural India.
In 1995, he joined the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) as an Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax. While in service, he actively promoted Right to Information (RTI) laws, which later played a crucial role in his fight against corruption.
The Anti-Corruption Movement and Political Entry
In 2006, Kejriwal resigned from the IRS to dedicate himself to social activism. The same year, he was honored with the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award for Emergent Leadership for his efforts in using RTI against corruption. He donated his award money to establish the Public Cause Research Foundation (PCRF), an NGO advocating transparency in governance.
Kejriwal gained national recognition as a leading figure in the India Against Corruption (IAC) movement, which demanded the Jan Lokpal Bill to tackle corruption. After differences with Anna Hazare over entering politics, Kejriwal launched the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in November 2012.
Political Career and Delhi Chief Ministership
2013 Delhi Elections and First Term as CM
In the 2013 Delhi Assembly elections, AAP made a remarkable debut, winning 28 out of 70 seats. Kejriwal contested against three-time Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit in the New Delhi constituency and won by a huge margin. He took oath as Delhi’s 7th Chief Minister on 28 December 2013 but resigned after 49 days on 14 February 2014, citing the failure to pass the Jan Lokpal Bill due to lack of support from other parties.
2015 Elections and Second Term
AAP made a stunning comeback in the 2015 Delhi elections, securing 67 out of 70 seats. Kejriwal was sworn in as CM on 14 February 2015 for his second term. Under his leadership, AAP focused on education, healthcare, free electricity, water subsidies, and governance reforms.
2020 Elections and Third Term
AAP repeated its success in the 2020 Delhi Assembly elections, winning 62 out of 70 seats, and Kejriwal took oath as CM for the third time on 16 February 2020. His governance model, known as the “Delhi Model”, gained nationwide attention for initiatives like Mohalla Clinics, Delhi’s Government Schools Reform, Free Bus Rides for Women, and Doorstep Services.
Key Achievements and Recognition
- Introduced Mohalla Clinics – Free primary healthcare for all citizens.
- Revamped Delhi’s government schools, leading to high pass percentages and global recognition.
- Implemented free water and electricity schemes to reduce the financial burden on the middle class and poor.
- Launched the Doorstep Delivery of Services initiative to improve governance efficiency.
- Expanded Delhi Metro and public transport infrastructure for better connectivity.
Personal Life
- Spouse: Sunita Kejriwal, an IRS officer, married in 1995.
- Children: Two children, including a son who studied at IIT Delhi.
- Residence: 7, Flag Staff Marg, Civil Lines, New Delhi.
Net Worth
As of January 2020, Kejriwal’s declared net worth was ₹3.40 crore.
Awards and Honors
- Ramon Magsaysay Award (2006) for leadership in public service and anti-corruption efforts.
- Featured in Fortune’s “World’s 50 Greatest Leaders” list.