New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a 98-minute speech on the occasion of Independence Day, which was the longest speech given by an Indian Prime Minister. Meanwhile, pictures of opposition leader Rahul Gandhi sitting in the second row with Olympic medal winners are becoming increasingly viral on social media.
In fact, Rahul Gandhi, dressed in a traditional white kurta suit, was seen sitting in the second last row. Olympic medal winners like Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh were seated in the front rows. Members of the Olympic bronze-winning hockey team, including captain Harmanpreet Singh and PR Sreejesh, were also seated ahead of Rahul Gandhi.
According to protocol, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, whose rank is equivalent to that of a Cabinet Minister, is always given a seat in the front row. Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud and Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Amit Shah and S. Jaishankar were seated in the first row. Rahul Gandhi’s presence was also significant because he is the first leader in the last decade to attend the Independence Day celebrations as the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha.
Discussion has started on social media regarding Rahul Gandhi’s seating arrangement. According to a report, quoting sources from the Ministry of Defense, the Congress MP had to be seated in the back seat as the front rows were allotted to Olympic medal winners. The Ministry of Defense is responsible for organizing the Independence Day celebrations and making the seating plan.
