Delhi Lt Governor taps Kailash Gahlot amid flag hoisting row with AAP
PTC News Desk: Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena of Delhi has selected Kailash Gahlot, the home minister of Delhi, to hoist the national flag on Thursday during the government's Independence Day ceremony.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who would typically spearhead festivities, is still detained by the CBI in connection with an alleged liquor policy case, so Gahlot will carry out the celebrations in his place. Saxena and the ruling Aam Aadmi Party are at odds, and Gahlot's selection would exacerbate things. Kejriwal wrote to the LG to say that Education Minister Atishi would do the honours in his absence. But Saxena called Kejriwal's instruction 'invalid' right away.
Gahlot was nominated because 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," according to a brief statement released by Saxena's office on Tuesday evening.
"In view of the above, Lieutenant Governor is pleased to nominate Home Minister Kailash Gahlot to unfurl the national flag at the state-level Independence Day celebrations..." stated Saxena.
Also Read: Atishi barred from hoisting national flag on Independence Day for Arvind Kejriwal, says GAD official
Arvind Kejriwal had previously informed Mr. Saxena in writing of his decision. On the other hand, Saxena's office stated that it never received any correspondence.
The Chief Minister was later informed by jail officials that his letter was not transmitted to the Lieutenant Governor because it constituted a "abuse of privileges" that were granted to him under the Delhi Prison Rules. According to sources, Kejriwal has been told to "desist from any such impermissible activity" or face having his powers reduced.
The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi's General Administration Department, or GAD, also said that the Chief Minister's directive is "legally invalid and can't be acted upon" as a precaution.
The GAD went on to say that any "deviation" from Independence Day and Republic Day would "undermine its sanctity" as national holidays with "supreme Constitutional sanctity."
The AAP and Saxena, the center's representative in the nation's capital, got into yet another political spat over Atishi's refusal. The block was denounced by the ruling party as "petty politics".
Ex-Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who was last week released on bail following over eighteen months in jail for the alleged liquor policy fraud, too took a strong stance in response to it.
"I read in the papers... when a conman (referring to Sukesh Chandrashekar, who has written open letters targeting AAP leaders, including Kejriwa) writes a letter, jail administration duly submits it to LG's office... but when the Delhi Chief Minister writes..."
Meanwhile, Atishi has charged Saxena with impeding the election of a government. "Is there any tyranny more egregious than this one? We need to find out if the BJP supports democracy or tyranny," the woman questioned.
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- With inputs from agencies
