‘Shameful behaviour’. BJP attacks Rahul Gandhi, Kharge for skipping Red Fort celebrations

New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla called out the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge for not attending the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort on Friday.

Their absence, according to NDTV, has given rise to speculations with one source claiming that Rahul Gandhi did not show up as he was upset with the seating arrangement last year.

However, both leaders extended their greeting to the people while paying tribute to the freedom fighters.

‘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!’ Gandhi was quoted as saying.

In his Independence Day message, Kharge said ‘Independence Day is a solemn occasion to rededicate ourselves to values of Freedom, Justice, Equality and Fraternity, cherished by our Democracy’.

Where Kharge took part in I-Day celebrations at the Congress party headquarters, Rahul Gandhi joined the celebrations at Indira Bhawan in the national Capital.

Taking a swipe at the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Shehzad Poonawalla said ‘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 Rahul Gandhi was seen seated in the fifth row, behind the Indian Olympic medalists in a departure from tradition and protocol for the event at the Red Fort, despite he enjoys the status of a Cabinet minister triggering a controversy, according to NDTV.

As per the protocol, the Leader of Opposition is to be seated in the front row during ceremonial events; however, then Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Amit Shah and S Jaishankar were seen in that row. The Opposition termed the seat arrangement for the Congress leader an insult to the people.

However, the Defence Ministry claimed that the change to arrangement was made to accommodate Olympians in the event.