Arvind Kejriwal In Jail: Know Who Will Hoist Flag In Delhi On Independence Day After A No For Atishi

Delhi's AAP-led government and Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena are at odds again, this time over who will hoist the national flag on Independence Day. The LG nominated Home Minister Kailash Gahlot for the task, bypassing several senior leaders, including Atishi.

The LG's Secretary Ashish Kundra communicated the decision to Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar. "Lieutenant Governor is pleased to nominate Minister (Home), GNCTD, Kailash Gahlot to unfurl the National Flag at the State level Independence day celebrations at Chhatrasaal Stadium. Necessary arrangements may be made accordingly," he wrote.

Conflict Over Flag Hoisting

This decision has sparked another conflict between the AAP and the LG Secretariat. Earlier in the day, Delhi's General Administration Department (GAD) refused to follow Minister Gopal Rai's direction to arrange for Education Minister Atishi to hoist the flag.

AAP claimed that jailed Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wanted Atishi to hoist the tricolour in his absence. However, the LG office stated they received no letter from Kejriwal, who is currently in judicial custody. The GAD also mentioned that Kejriwal cannot authorise Atishi to do so on his behalf.

Kejriwal's Letter Controversy

Last week, Kejriwal wrote a letter to the LG nominating Atishi to hoist the flag during Delhi's Independence Day programme. Tihar Jail authorities informed Kejriwal that his letter was "an abuse of privileges" under Delhi Prison Rules and thus was not sent to Saxena.

Reacting to this controversy, senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia criticised Lt Governor V K Saxena. He said it is "very unfortunate" that "such petty politics" is being played on Independence Day.

Sisodia further commented on how Tihar administration handles letters from different individuals. "I read in the papers that when a conman Sukesh writes a letter, the Tihar administration duly submits it to the LG office. The LG too promptly takes action on it. But, when the Delhi Chief Minister writes a letter, the LG asks Tihar officials not to send it to him," Sisodia said.

"The elected government or any minister should hoist the flag. I do not see any difficulty in it," added Arvind Kejriwal's former deputy.