Delhi Independence Day Flag Hoisting: Arvind Kejriwal picked Atishi (L) to unfurl the flag (File Photographs)
New Delhi:
Delhi Residence Minister Kailash Gahlot has been chosen – by Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena – to unfurl the nationwide flag through the Delhi authorities’s Independence Day celebration on Thursday.
Mr Gahlot will accomplish that as Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal – who would usually lead celebrations – stays in jail following his arrest by the CBI within the alleged liquor coverage case.
The selection of Mr Gahlot will fire up battle between Mr Saxena and the ruling Aam Aadmi Get together after Mr Kejriwal wrote to the LG to declare that Training Minister Atishi would do the honours in his absence. Mr Saxena, nevertheless, instantly declared Mr Kejriwal’s route “invalid”.
In a quick assertion issued Tuesday night Mr Saxena’s workplace mentioned Mr Gahlot had been nominated since Delhi Police “is chargeable for the ceremonial march-past parade after unfurling of the nationwide flag”, and “issues associated to (the) police have been assigned to the Residence Division”.
“In view of the above, Lieutenant Governor is happy to appoint Residence Minister Kailash Gahlot to unfurl the nationwide flag on the state-level Independence Day celebrations…” Mr Saxena mentioned.
“Kejriwal’s Choice Legally Invalid”
Earlier Arvind Kejriwal had written to Mr Saxena to formally convey his selection. Nevertheless, Mr Saxena’s workplace declared it didn’t obtain any communication.
READ | Kejriwal Says Atishi To Hoist Tricolour At Delhi I-Day Event
Jail authorities later informed the Chief Minister his letter was an “abuse of privileges” granted to him beneath the Delhi Jail Guidelines and was, subsequently, not despatched to the Lieutenant Governor. Mr Kejriwal has been suggested to “desist from any such impermissible exercise” or privileges shall be curtailed, studies mentioned.
READ | Row Over Kejriwal’s Letter To VK Saxena On I-Day Flag Hoisting
For good measure Delhi’s Basic Administration Division, or GAD, which operates beneath the Lieutenant Governor, additionally mentioned the Chief Minister’s route is “legally invalid and cannot be acted on”.
The GAD additional declared that Independence Day and Republic Day are nationwide occasions with “supreme Constitutional sanctity” and that any “deviation” would “undermine its sanctity”.
AAP Vs Lt Governor On Flag Hoisting
The rejection of Atishi sparked yet one more political row between the AAP and Mr Saxena, who’s the centre’s consultant within the nationwide capital. The ruling occasion slammed the block as “petty politics”.
It additionally triggered a fierce pushback from ex-Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who was final week released on bail after nearly 18 months in jail over the alleged liquor coverage rip-off.
READ | Sisodia’s “Sukesh” Parallel To Slam Delhi LG Amid Flag Hoisting Row
“I learn within the papers… when a conman (referring to Sukesh Chandrashekar, who has written open letters concentrating on AAP leaders, together with Mr Kejriwa) writes a letter, jail administration duly submits it to LG’s workplace… however when the Delhi Chief Minister writes…”
Atishi, in the meantime, has accused Mr Saxena of stopping an elected authorities. “What could be a larger dictatorship than this? We have now to see if BJP is standing with democracy or dictatorship?” she requested.
Kejriwal In Jail
Mr Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in March, weeks earlier than the 2024 Lok Sabha election. Each he and the AAP have rubbished the corruption costs and claimed a pre-poll conspiracy. He was given bail however that was rendered moot as, by then, the CBI had also arrested him.
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