Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi were absent from the 80th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort on Saturday, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the Tricolour and addressed the nation.
The latest absence comes against the backdrop of heightened tensions between the ruling BJP and Opposition parties following the Monsoon Session of Parliament, which concluded on Thursday. Earlier on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the National Flag from the ramparts of the historic Red Fort in New Delhi and delivered his Independence Day address as the country marked its 80th Independence Day. The session witnessed repeated disruptions, with both sides blaming each other for the deadlock and low productivity. The political differences remained visible even after the session ended. The Congress, along with the Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party, boycotted the customary tea party hosted by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla after the House was adjourned sine die.
Earlier reporting noted: In 2024, a controversy erupted during the Independence Day celebrations when Gandhi, who is the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and enjoys the status of a Cabinet minister, sat in the second last row – in a departure from tradition and protocol – for the programme at the Red Fort.
Both the senior Congress leaders previously skipped the ceremony last year, drawing attention amid continuing political differences between the government and the Opposition. Earlier reporting noted: Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, for the second year in a row, skipped the 80th Independence Day celebrations led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Red Fort. Earlier reporting noted: The Opposition called the allocation of the seat to the Congress MP an insult to the people, even as the Defence Ministry, which organised the event, argued that the arrangement was tweaked to accommodate Olympians on the premises.
Despite being the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and having Cabinet ministerial status, Gandhi was seated in the second-last row, prompting strong objections from the Opposition. The Congress had termed the arrangement disrespectful to its leader. The Defence Ministry, which organised the event, later clarified that the seating plan had been changed to accommodate Olympians attending the ceremony.
Rahul Gandhi’s seating arrangement had become a major point of controversy during the 2024 Independence Day celebrations.
