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An argument over the allocation of seats to Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge on the Purple Fort continued, as the 2 leaders skipped the Independence Day occasion at Purple Fort
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge with LoP within the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi
The Union Defence Ministry on Friday despatched the Congress get together an inventory of seating placements of the previous Leaders of Opposition from the Bharatiya Janata Social gathering (BJP), together with Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley, throughout earlier governments.
The event unfolded as an issue over the allocation of seats to LoP within the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and Congress Nationwide President Mallikarjun Kharge on the Purple Fort continued, as the 2 leaders skipped the Independence Day celebrations for a 3rd consecutive yr.
Sources informed CNN-News18 that the Defence Ministry had approached the Congress stalwarts with an inventory that includes the position of seats to former Leaders of Opposition in the course of the earlier Congress regime.
Nevertheless, the Congress leaders have been “not satisfied”, they mentioned, including they refused to attend the occasion on the Purple Fort “with out giving any motive”.
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About The Controversy
The controversy erupted in 2024 in the course of the Independence Day celebrations when Rahul Gandhi, the Chief of Opposition within the Lok Sabha who enjoys the standing of a Cupboard minister, was seated within the second final row, marking a departure from the protocol.
Whereas the Opposition claimed the allocation of seat to the Congress MP was an insult to the individuals, the Centre argued that the association was tweaked to make room for Olympians on the premises.
Based on the protocol, the LoP sits within the entrance row throughout ceremonial occasions.
Kharge, Rahul Skip Purple Fort Occasion
Prime Congress sources informed CNN-News18 that Mallikarjun Kharge –– the LoP within the Rajya Sabha –– was assigned a seat within the second or third row. Nevertheless, it was inconvenient for him to stroll to the venue.
As a substitute, Congress leaders, together with Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi, hoisted the tricolour on the headquarters of the get together, Indira Bhawan, Kotla Marg.
The BJP focused the Congress over selecting to avoid the Independence Day celebrations at Purple Fort. Talking to CNN-News18, BJP chief RP Singh alleged that whereas the Congress Chief climbs the steps at Makar Dwar in Parliament frequently however kept away from attending the Independence Day occasion.
Key Questions Answered
Ask News18Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge skipped the Purple Fort Independence Day occasion because of an ongoing controversy over seating preparations. Kharge was assigned a seat within the second or third row, which he discovered inconvenient to achieve. This marks the third consecutive yr they haven’t attended the occasion.
Ask News18Concerning the Writer
Group Editor, Investigations and Safety Affairs, Network18
August 15, 2026, 14:12 IST
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