Kejriwal writes to L-G to let Atishi hoist flag on I-Day

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 7

AAP on Wednesday said the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, currently in jail in an alleged Delhi excise policy scam, has written to Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena to let Cabinet Minister Atishi hoist the flag in his place for the upcoming Independence Day celebrations.

However, L-G officials said the secretariat had not received any communication from the CM.

“With regards to the claims in various sections regarding the flag hoisting on August 15, it is clarified that the LG secretariat is not in receipt of any such communication whatsoever.” officials said.

Earlier this week, the Delhi High Court had dismissed Kejriwal’s plea challenging his arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the case. The court said that the arrest had justifiable grounds.

The court also advised Kejriwal to seek further relief from the trial court regarding his bail application.

Atishi was appointed a minister in the Delhi Government in 2023 after the Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia resigned following his arrest in the excise policy case.

The Delhi Chief Minister hoists the flag at the Chhatrasal Stadium on Independence Day. However, this year, since, Kejriwal in in jail, he has asked L-G to let Atishi hoist the flag.

Kejriwal has been hoisting the flag at the Delhi government function since 2015. The Delhi CM was arrested on March 21 by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the excise policy case.

‘Focusing on Irrelevant issues’

• “While Kejriwal is concerned about who will hoist the national flag, he has shown no concern for the people suffering from inadequate infrastructure and administrative failures,” said Devender Yadav, DPCC president.
• Yadav also criticised the BJP for not addressing illegal demolitions by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and other agencies, which have adversely affected numerous residents. He called for accountability and responsibility from both parties, stating, “Delhi cannot be governed in this manner, with both parties focused on political point-scoring while the people suffer.”