In the latest developments to the escalating battle between Delhi’s government and the Lieutenant Governor’s office, VK Saxena has named Delhi Home Minister Kailash Gahlot to unfurl the national flag at the state-level Flag ceremony on Independence Day.
The decision follows the arrest of the Aam Aadmi Party supremo and current Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, in the alleged liquor policy scam. Kejriwal, usually responsible for the I-Day event, will not appear.
From the letter sent by Ashish Kundra, Secretary LG: “Lieutenant Governor is pleased to nominate Minister (Home), GNCTD, Sh. Kailash Gahlot to unfurl the National Flag at Independence Day celebrations at state level Chhatrasaal stadium Necessary arrangements may be made accordingly: ”
However, Saxena’s step may escalate the clash between the Lieutenant Governor and the AAP government once again. Gopal Rai, the Delhi Minister, had on Tuesday asked the General Administration Department (GAD) to arrange for Atishi to unfurl the Indian flag as per Kejriwal’s directives.
Nevertheless, the GAD has ruled that it cannot sanction Atishi to perform this function, stating that issues concerning the police force involved in the ceremonial march-past parade have been shifted to the Home Department.
In response, the Aam Aadmi Party has stated that the AAP is happy to have Kailash Gahlot hoist the national flag up, as the settlement asserts: it champions democracy by opting for an elected official instead of an appointed one, which underscores the significance of the people’s choice when it comes to the leadership of their nation.
This latest development is the latest in a series of skirmishes in the power struggle between the Delhi government and the L-G’s office that has escalated into a war of words and saber-rattling. As the state prepares to celebrate its independence day, more attention is being paid to the tensions and the struggle for the territorial administrative control of the national capital.
