However, the Congress leaders were “not convinced", they said, adding they refused to attend the event at the Red Fort “without giving any reason".
Kharge, Rahul Skip Red Fort EventTop Congress sources told CNN-News18 that Mallikarjun Kharge –– the LoP in the Rajya Sabha –– was assigned a seat in the second or third row.
Instead, Congress leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi, hoisted the tricolour at the headquarters of the party, Indira Bhawan, Kotla Marg.
The BJP targeted the Congress over choosing to stay away from the Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort.
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge skipped the Red Fort Independence Day event due to an ongoing controversy over seating arrangements.
News india Rahul, Kharge Were 'Unconvinced' By I-Day Seating, Govt Showed How BJP LoPs Sat Under UPA: Sources
Rahul, Kharge Were 'Unconvinced' By I-Day Seating, Govt Showed How BJP LoPs Sat Under UPA: Sources
Reported By :
, Edited By:
Last Updated: August 15, 2026, 19:56 IST
A controversy over the allocation of seats to Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge at the Red Fort continued, as the two leaders skipped the Independence Day event at Red Fort
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge with LoP in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi
The Union Defence Ministry on Friday sent the Congress party a list of seating placements of the former Leaders of Opposition from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), including Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley, during previous governments.
The development unfolded as a controversy over the allocation of seats to LoP in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge at the Red Fort continued, as the two leaders skipped the Independence Day celebrations for a third consecutive year.
Sources told CNN-News18 that the Defence Ministry had approached the Congress stalwarts with a list featuring the placement of seats to former Leaders of Opposition during the previous Congress regime.
However, the Congress leaders were “not convinced", they said, adding they refused to attend the event at the Red Fort “without giving any reason".
News18 Also Covered: Rahul Gandhi, Kharge Skip Red Fort I-Day Event Again; BJP Questions Congress Leaders’ Absence
About The Controversy
The controversy erupted in 2024 during the Independence Day celebrations when Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha who enjoys the status of a Cabinet minister, was seated in the second last row, marking a departure from the protocol.
While the Opposition claimed the allocation of seat to the Congress MP was an insult to the people, the Centre argued that the arrangement was tweaked to make room for Olympians on the premises.
According to the protocol, the LoP sits in the front row during ceremonial events.
Kharge, Rahul Skip Red Fort Event
Top Congress sources told CNN-News18 that Mallikarjun Kharge –– the LoP in the Rajya Sabha –– was assigned a seat in the second or third row. However, it was inconvenient for him to walk to the venue.
Instead, Congress leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi, hoisted the tricolour at the headquarters of the party, Indira Bhawan, Kotla Marg.
The BJP targeted the Congress over choosing to stay away from the Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort. Speaking to CNN-News18, BJP leader RP Singh alleged that while the Congress Chief climbs the stairs at Makar Dwar in Parliament regularly but refrained from attending the Independence Day event.
News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit
Key Questions Answered Powered by Ask News18 Why did Congress leaders skip the Red Fort event? Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge skipped the Red Fort Independence Day event due to an ongoing controversy over seating arrangements. Kharge was assigned a seat in the second or third row, which he found inconvenient to reach. This marks the third consecutive year they have not attended the event. What is the protocol for LoP seating at events? According to protocol, the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) is seated in the front row during ceremonial events. Could this seating row impact future events? The seating controversy could lead to continued political debate and criticism from the BJP regarding the absence of Congress leaders from national ceremonial occasions. The Congress party has already questioned the treatment of its senior leaders at such events. Powered by Ask News18
About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations and Security Affairs, Network18
First Published: August 15, 2026, 14:12 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
