Guwahati, Jan 27: Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi on January 27 took aim at the Union government over the seating arrangement allotted to the Leaders of Opposition during the Republic Day parade, describing it as a repeated slight to a constitutionally recognised office. His remarks came a day after Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi were seated in the third row at the parade held at Kartavya Path in New Delhi.
Speaking to reporters, Gogoi said the protocol traditionally associated with the Leader of Opposition was visibly absent during the national समारोह. He argued that the issue went beyond party politics and touched the dignity of Parliament itself. Questioning the government’s stance, he said the Prime Minister owed an explanation on why the position of the LoP was being disregarded even as Parliament was often described as the “temple of democracy”.
The controversy expanded after the Bharatiya Janata Party accused Rahul Gandhi of disrespecting the North-East by not wearing a traditional patka during the Republic Day ‘At Home’ reception hosted by the President at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Congress leaders rejected the allegation, maintaining that cultural symbolism should not be selectively politicised. Gogoi urged restraint, saying such issues should not be turned into partisan attacks, and added that people in the North-East evaluated leaders by their actions during difficult times rather than ceremonial attire.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma responded sharply, accusing Rahul Gandhi of reinforcing a perception of disregard towards the region. In a post on social media platform X, Sarma pointed out that the President, the Prime Minister and foreign dignitaries had all worn the patka, claiming Gandhi was the lone exception. The BJP insisted the matter reflected a broader pattern of insensitivity, while the Congress countered that the ruling party was diverting attention from more serious questions about protocol, democratic norms and respect for constitutional offices during a national event.
