New Delhi: Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced on Monday that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has directed Education Minister Atishi to hoist the national flag on Independence Day. The annual Delhi government's Independence Day celebration, typically held at Chhatrasal Stadium, will see Atishi representing Kejriwal, who is currently detained.

In a letter addressed to the General Administration Department (GAD), Rai stated, "I had a meeting with the Chief Minister today. He desires that Minister Atishi should hoist the flag on 15th August 2024 at the Chhatrasal Stadium event in his place. All the necessary arrangements be made accordingly."

Traditionally, Chief Minister Kejriwal addresses the gathering at this event. However, due to his ongoing detention, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had earlier announced on August 7 that Atishi would take over the responsibility this year. The announcement also mentioned that Kejriwal had communicated this decision to the Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG).

Contrary to these claims, the LG's office has denied receiving any such communication from the AAP. A Raj Niwas official clarified, "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."

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seized this opportunity to criticize Kejriwal, with Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva suggesting that the Chief Minister should resign and appoint Atishi as the new CM. Sachdeva stated, "The letter written by the incarcerated Chief Minister to the Lieutenant Governor regarding the flag hoisting on Independence Day 'proves' that the Aam Aadmi Party and its leaders were 'anarchists' and would remain 'anarchists'."

Arvind Kejriwal is currently lodged in Tihar Jail, facing charges related to corruption and money laundering in connection with the alleged Delhi excise policy scam. Although the Supreme Court granted him interim bail in the Enforcement Directorate (ED) case on July 12, he remains in custody due to ongoing proceedings in a related CBI case.

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