Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi did not attend the Red Fort independence day ceremony in India for the second consecutive year.
In 2024 as well, a major controversy had erupted over Rahul Gandhi’s seating arrangement. Although he was expected to sit in the front row as leader of the opposition, he was seated toward the back instead. Congress had called it a direct “insult” at the time, while the government maintained the arrangement was made to honor and accommodate Olympic athletes. This year’s absence was called “unfortunate” by BJP leader Girirajh Singh.
Relations between the government and the opposition are currently strained. The effect was visible during the recently concluded monsoon session of parliament, where little substantive work was accomplished amid friction between the two sides. Only the “anti-paper-leak” law saw proper discussion during the session.
Following the end of the session, Congress, the Trinamool Congress, and the Samajwadi Party also boycotted the traditional tea reception hosted by Speaker Om Birla.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report