Rahul Gandhi Sits in Fourth Row: Did Govt Deny Front Seat for LOP?

New Delhi: In 2018, Rahul Gandhi, a prominent Congress leader, was notably placed in the fourth row during the Republic Day parade, sparking controversy. The Congress party criticized this move as an insult and accused the Modi government of engaging in “cheap politics.” At the time, Rahul Gandhi was not the Leader of the Opposition, a role he now holds in 2024, amidst a resurgent Congress and a stronger opposition.

Fast forward to the 78th Independence Day celebrations in 2024, where the government extended an invitation to Rahul Gandhi, allotting him a front-row seat in recognition of his current position. However, in an unexpected move, Rahul Gandhi chose not to occupy the designated seat. Instead, he opted to sit among the general public, expressing a desire to share the moment with the common people.

A Defence Ministry official commented on the situation, stating, “The front-row seat was reserved for Rahul Gandhi as the Leader of the Opposition. However, he voluntarily chose to sit at the back, preferring to be among the public. He conveyed to the staff that he enjoys sitting with his fellow political leaders in Parliament, but on this occasion, he wished to experience the event differently.”

It’s worth noting that after the seating controversy in 2018, Rahul Gandhi was subsequently granted a front-row seat during the 70th Republic Day celebrations in 2019, signaling a shift in the government’s approach towards him.