NEW DELHI, Aug 13: The Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Tuesday nominated Delhi Home Minister Kailash Gahlot to hoist the national flag at the state Independence Day event, officials at Raj Niwas said.
Gahlot has been chosen to hoist the tricolour as Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal – who would normally lead celebrations – is currently lodged in jail following his arrest by the CBI in the alleged liquor policy case. Mr Kejriwal wanted the education minister Atishi to be honoured with the job but was rejected by the LG.
“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,” LG’s secretary Ashish Kundra said in a written communication to Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar.
Notably, Saxena’s decision to select Kailash Gahlot might lead to another contention between him and the ruling Aam Aadmi Party. Earlier, Delhi Minister Gopal Rai directed the General Administration Department (GAD) to make the necessary arrangements for the education minister Atishi to hoist the national flag, as per the desires of Mr Kejriwal.
The General Administration Department (GAD) of Delhi on Tuesday said it cannot authorise Delhi Minister Atishi to hoist the national flag on Independence Day, as desired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Issuing a statement, Saxena’s office said Gahlot had been nominated since Delhi Police “is responsible for the ceremonial march-past parade after unfurling of the national flag”, and “matters related to (the) police have been assigned to the Home Department.”
Issuing a response to Delhi LG’s decision, AAP said, “We welcome the decision to have Delhi’s Home Minister, Kailash Gahlot, unfurl the national flag on August 15.” “This move honours the principle of democracy by choosing an elected representative over an appointed one, reinforcing the importance of the people’s mandate in our governance,” the party added.
Earlier in the day, LG’s rejection of Atishi sparked a political row between the AAP and Saxena as the ruling party accused him of doing “petty politics.” Atishi also took a veiled jibe at Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor, and said a “new viceroy” had come, and he wanted to unfurl the national flag.
(Manas Dasgupta)