Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi remained absent from the 80th Independence Day celebrations led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Red Fort on Saturday, marking their second consecutive year of skipping the ceremony.
The two Congress leaders had also not attended the celebrations last year, amid strained relations between the government and the Opposition. Their absence this year comes against the backdrop of heightened political tensions following the Monsoon Session of Parliament, which concluded on Thursday.
The session was marked by repeated disruptions and low productivity, with the government and Opposition blaming each other for the deadlock. Twelve Bills were passed during the session, while detailed discussion was held on only one legislation concerning the prevention of paper leaks.
Differences between the ruling party and Opposition were also evident after the session, with the Congress, along with the Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party, boycotting the customary tea party hosted by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla after the House was adjourned sine die.
The absence of Kharge and Rahul Gandhi also brings back memories of a controversy over the seating arrangement during the 2024 Independence Day celebrations. Despite being the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and holding Cabinet ministerial status, Rahul Gandhi was seated in the second-last row, prompting strong objections from the Opposition, which alleged that the arrangement was disrespectful to him.
The Defence Ministry, which was responsible for organising the event, had said the seating plan was modified to accommodate Olympians attending the ceremony. Under established protocol, the Leader of Opposition is generally seated in the front row during important ceremonial functions.
Earlier on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the National Flag and addressed the nation from the ramparts of the iconic Red Fort as India celebrated its 80th Independence Day. The unfurling of the Tricolour was followed by a 21-gun salute and a ceremonial showering of flower petals from an Indian Air Force helicopter.
Meanwhile, the full version of the National Song 'Vande Mataram' was also sung during the flag-hoisting ceremony at the Congress headquarters, which was attended by former Congress president Sonia Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge.
