Delhi’s General Administration Department has deemed Arvind Kejriwal’s decision to allow Atishi to hoist the flag as “invalid” and stated that a decision on who will actually perform the flag hoisting is still pending.
New Delhi: A major controversy has erupted over Delhi’s imprisoned Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s decision to appoint Minister Atishi to hoist the national flag this Independence Day. The General Administration Department (GAD), under Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, has declared Kejriwal’s decision “invalid” and is awaiting a resolution on who will actually hoist the flag. The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has criticized the GAD’s response as “petty politics,” asserting that there should be no issue with an elected minister performing the flag-hoisting duties.
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai recently visited Chief Minister Kejriwal in Tihar jail, where he is held in connection with a corruption case related to Delhi’s now-abandoned liquor policy. Following this meeting, Rai requested the GAD to arrange for Atishi Marlena to hoist the flag in Kejriwal’s place.
However, the GAD responded by stating that Kejriwal cannot delegate the authority to Ms. Atishi for the flag-hoisting. GAD Additional Chief Secretary Navin Kumar Chaudhary indicated that Kejriwal’s directive is “legally invalid and cannot be implemented.”
Mr. Kejriwal had also sent a letter to Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena regarding this issue, but his office reported not receiving any communication. Tihar jail authorities later informed Kejriwal that his letter was considered an “abuse of privileges” under the Delhi Prison Rules and was not forwarded to Mr. Saxena.
GAD Emphasizes “Stature”
The General Administration Department (GAD) has stated that Independence Day and Republic Day are of the highest Constitutional importance, and any deviation from established protocols could undermine their sanctity and potentially lead to statutory issues.
“There are specific provisions for celebrating these days with the respect they deserve,” the GAD said, emphasizing that no other authority can replace the Delhi Chief Minister in this context.
The GAD is working with all relevant departments to organize Independence Day celebrations at Chhatrasal Stadium, and the issue of the Chief Minister’s absence has been escalated to higher authorities. “The matter has been brought to the attention of higher authorities, and a decision is pending,” the GAD stated in an official release.
Manish Sisodia Criticizes ‘Flag Politics’
Senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia, currently out on bail in the Delhi liquor policy case, has criticized the situation, arguing that there should be no issue with an elected minister performing the flag-hoisting duties. “I read in the news that when conman Sukesh writes a letter, the Tihar administration promptly forwards it to the Lieutenant Governor’s office, which then acts on it. But when the Delhi Chief Minister sends a letter, the LG instructs Tihar officials not to forward it,” remarked the former Deputy Chief Minister.
Jailed conman Sukesh Chandrashekar has penned several open letters targeting AAP leaders, including Mr. Kejriwal.
Manish Sisodia argued that the Lieutenant Governor’s office should have instructed the Tihar Jail director general’s office to forward Chief Minister Kejriwal’s letter. “Instead, it seems they have no regard for independence or the nation. It appears they favor people like Sukesh,” he remarked.
Atishi also spoke to the media, criticizing the Lieutenant Governor for obstructing Delhi’s elected government from performing the flag-hoisting duty. “What could be more dictatorial than this? We need to determine whether the BJP supports democracy or dictatorship,” she questioned.
