After Rahul's 'fifth row' seat last year, govt says LoP to sit after ministers on I-Day

New Delhi: Defence Secretary RK Singh announced on Monday that Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, will be seated after Union Cabinet ministers during the Independence Day celebrations on August 15. Singh stated that the seating arrangement follows the Table of Precedence, placing the LoP directly after Cabinet ministers.

This seating was a point of contention in 2024 when Congress criticized the government for giving Gandhi a seat in the fifth row, deeming it a display of petty politics and disregard for democratic norms. The defence ministry clarified that the 5th row placement was necessary due to the adjustment of four Olympic medalists per row, alongside ministers following the first two rows.

Earlier this year, Congress again accused the Centre of violating established protocol during Republic Day celebrations, but the defence ministry defended the seating arrangements as per the Constitution's rank and office, not political affiliation. The Warrant of Precedence, issued by the President's secretariat, dictates seating arrangements at state and ceremonial occasions, including national events, based on constitutional rank and office, not political alignment.