Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi Skip Red Fort Independence Day Event for Second Consecutive Year

New Delhi. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi skipped the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort for the second consecutive year, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the celebrations.

In 2024, Rahul Gandhi had attended the Independence Day event, but his seating arrangement had sparked controversy. The Leader of Opposition, who holds Cabinet minister rank, was seated in a rear row during the ceremony. The Opposition had termed the seating arrangement an insult to Rahul Gandhi and the Congress.

The Defence Ministry, however, had clarified that the seating arrangement was modified to accommodate Olympic athletes at the venue. As per protocol, the Leader of Opposition is generally seated in the front row during ceremonial events.

Relations between the ruling BJP and the Opposition have further deteriorated in recent months. The Monsoon Session of Parliament, which concluded on Thursday, witnessed repeated clashes between the two sides, with both the Opposition and the ruling party blaming each other for disruptions and low productivity.

The absence of the Congress president and the Leader of Opposition from the Independence Day celebrations for the second consecutive year is likely to trigger fresh political debate.