Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun skipped the Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort on Friday, drawing sharp criticism from the ruling BJP.
Although there was no official statement from the Congress party regarding their absence, it is being speculated that the two leaders skipped the event due to seating arrangement row last year.
The two leaders, however, wished the countrymen on the occasion of Independence Day through their social media accounts.
The Leader of Opposition took to X to extend his greetings. He said, “This freedom, achieved through the sacrifices of great freedom fighters, is a resolve to build an India where justice rests on the foundation of truth and equality, and every heart is filled with respect and brotherhood. It is the duty of all of us to protect the pride and honor of this precious heritage. Jai Hind, Jai Bharat!”
Meanwhile, Kharge said: “Independence Day is a solemn occasion to rededicate ourselves to values of Freedom, Justice, Equality and Fraternity, cherished by our Democracy.”
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla, however, took a sharp dig at Gandhi over his absence at the event.
Poonawalla said on X, “”Congress spokesperson in tv debate with me just now confirmed that ‘LoP’ Rahul Gandhi skipped 15th August Program at Red Fort. This was a national celebration but sadly Lover of Pakistan Rahul Gandhi – in Modi virodh does Desh & Sena Virodh! Shameful behaviour. Is this Sanvidhan and Sena ka Samman?”
Last year, during the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort, a controversy broke out when Congress MP Gandhi was seated in the second-last row instead of his usual place as per tradition and protocol.
The Opposition said this was an insult to the people, while the Defence Ministry, which organised the event, said the seating was changed to make space for Olympians.