Delhi L-G rejects AAP choice, picks Gahlot to hoist Tricolour on I-Day

On August 6, Kejriwal, who is in jail after being arrested in the now-scrapped excise policy case, had written a letter to Saxena, saying that Atishi would unfurl the national flag in his place. While the Tihar Jail administration kept the letter on file and did not send it to the L-G, the AAP released a copy to the media.

Three days later, Saxena’s office wrote to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on August 9, on the “current impasse created because of peculiar circumstances of non-availability” of the CM for the occasion.

In a note to Delhi Secretary (Home) on Tuesday, Principal Secretary to the L-G, Ashish Kundra, wrote that the MHA had authorised the L-G to nominate any minister from the Delhi Government for the purpose, and that he had nominated Gahlot.

“Lieutenant Governor is pleased to nominate Minister (Home), GNCTD, Kailash Gahlot to unfurl the National Flag at the state-level Independence Day celebrations at Chhatrasal Stadium. Necessary arrangements may be made accordingly,” Kundra wrote.

Explaining the reasoning, he wrote: “As per practice, Delhi Police is responsible for the ceremonial march-past parade after unfurling of the national flag. The minute to minute programme of the state-level function of Independence Day is finalised by the Delhi Police/ Home department… Honourable Lieutenant Governor has also noted that matters related to the police have been assigned to the Home department.”

Responding to the development, AAP said it “welcomed the decision”. “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,” it said in a statement.

Former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, however, said the “petty politics” was unfortunate. “It is very unfortunate that on such a sacred occasion, petty politics is being played… I keep reading in newspapers that when conman Sukesh (Chandrashekhar) writes a letter, Tihar officials submit it to the L-G, and the L-G takes action. But when the elected CM of Delhi writes a letter, the L-G stops Tihar officials from sending the letter to him,” he said.

On Monday, following a meeting with Kejriwal at Tihar Jail, GAD Minister Gopal Rai had issued directions to the department to begin preparations for Atishi to unfurl the flag. But Navin Kumar Chaudhary, Additional Chief Secretary, GAD, wrote back to Rai, stating that Kejriwal’s direction was “legally invalid and cannot be acted upon”, adding that such communication from Tihar Jail was not permissible and in contravention of the rules.

Meanwhile, citing prison rules, the Tihar Jail administration on Monday also warned Kejriwal that the privileges being extended to him would be curtailed if he undertook official communication, like his letter to the L-G, as it was “impermissible activity”.