In a pointed attack on the Modi government, Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi on Tuesday raised alarms over the handling of opposition leaders at the Republic Day parade. Reports emerged that Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, holding pivotal Leader of Opposition roles in Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha respectively, were relegated to the third row during the grand event on Kartavya Path.
Addressing the media in Guwahati, Gogoi labeled this as a clear breach of established protocol for these constitutional positions. “The Prime Minister calls Parliament the temple of democracy, yet treats its guardians with such disdain,” he remarked, calling for an explanation on the repeated nature of these incidents.
Gogoi pressed the Prime Minister to justify weakening constitutional roles at a flagship national celebration. The critique gained traction amid ongoing political skirmishes.
Countering fiercely, the BJP turned the spotlight on Rahul Gandhi’s attire at the President’s Republic Day reception. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, from a government program in Tinsukia’s Digboi, accused Gandhi of snubbing the traditional ‘patka,’ a symbol of Assamese honor. “This shows his persistent disregard for our culture,” Sarma stated, refusing to dwell further on what he sees as a pattern.
Congress hit back, terming the accusations selective outrage for political mileage. Gaurav Gogoi called for political maturity, insisting cultural identities shouldn’t be twisted into biased campaign tools. “Northeast folks value deeds over displays—Rahul has stood by us in crises, unlike others who vanish,” he added, spotlighting Gandhi’s regional outreach.
This back-and-forth reveals fault lines in India’s political landscape, where protocol slips and cultural flashpoints fuel narratives. With Republic Day’s patriotic fervor fading, the real battle for hearts in the Northeast intensifies, setting the stage for sharper confrontations.