Delhi lieutenant governor hands ‘aloof’ AAP minister flag duty for Independence Day parade

Delhi lieutenant governor V.K. Saxena has nominated an AAP minister who has kept away from party events to hoist the national flag at the territorial government’s Independence Day parade.

The decision comes after a week of failed attempts by jailed chief minister Arvind Kejriwal to nominate a minister considered more loyal to him to hoist the flag as his proxy.

In the unprecedented situation of having an incumbent chief minister in judicial custody, Saxena had referred the matter to the Union ministry on August 9.

The Centre directed him to nominate “any other minister” following which the LG issued an order on Tuesday nominating Kailash Gahlot for the tasks as he holds the home portfolio and his department organises the event.