True to vow of transparency India’s anti-corruption hero admits to bowel trouble

India’s anti-corruption activist, Arvind Kejriwal, swept to power last month on a promise of greater transparency and he began office on Monday true to his word – admitting that Delhi belly had spoiled his first day. New chief minister Kejriwal, whose pledge to fight for India’s common man won over voters in New Delhi state polls, had been set to start governing the capital yesterday after being sworn in at the weekend.



Kejriwal, whose Aam Aadmi party was born out of an anti-corruption mass movement two years ago, has pledged to give free water to households in New Delhi and slash their electricity bills. But after weeks of rallies in a gruelling election campaign that pitted him against the two main political parties, Kejriwal said he had fallen ill with diarrhoea and a severe fever and could not come into the office.

“Running 102 fever since yesterday. Severe loose motions. Sad that I won’t be able to attend office today,” the former tax official said on his Twitter account. His comments received plenty of offers of sympathy – but also some suggestions for a little tact. “When the chief minister gives you a minute by minute update on his bowel movements … hail democracy,” said Priyanka Chaturvedi, a Congress party spokeswoman.



“Will Arvind Kejriwal pass the motion? That is the question we are asking tonight,” said television editor Ritupana Chatterjee. “Wow [you’re] such a wonderful Aam Aadmi [chief minister]. Talking publicly about loose motions. History is made!” said social worker Suryanarayan Ganesh.