New Delhi [India], January 27 : The BJP and Congress sparred on Tuesday over the seating arrangements controversy at the Republic Day celebrations, with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge accusing the BJP of intentionally "insulting" the opposition in view of the series of assembly elections in 2016.
The Congress chief further accused the BJP of "insulting" the Constitution by making two opposition leaders sit in the third row during the event. He also clarified on the row surrounding the Assamese "Gamosa' that erupted during the reception hosted by President Draupadi Murmu after Republic Day parade.
"He (Rahul Gandhi) had worn the 'Gamosa'. At the time he was eating, he folded it and kept it. They (BJP) are making an issue of it...They insult the Constitution by making two Opposition leaders sit in the third row (during the Republic Day parade). We also waited in line along with the state ministers to meet the President of India. They are purposely insulting the Opposition so much...I condemn it when they (BJP) say that Congress is doing this to insult the North East. They are doing this only to insult Congress and for the upcoming elections..."
"I am the senior-most leader, how can they make me sit in the third row and alongside state ministers. You have insulted me, the Congress and the Constitution."
Earlier, the BJP accused Rahul Gandhi of "disrespecting the culture and people of North-East" by "choosing not to wear Patka," despite President Droupadi Murmu's requests at the Home reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan on the occasion of Republic Day.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma strongly condemned Rahul Gandhi's actions, which he believed "reinforced a perception of disregard towards the North."
As per BJP leaders, the Patka was worn by everyone at the Home reception, including President Murmu, PM Modi and foreign dignitaries.
"Times may change, but the attitude of the de facto supremo of the Congress party, Mr Rahul Gandhi, regrettably appears unchanged. In an act that was deeply insensitive and insulting to the people of the entire North East, Mr. Gandhi chose not to wear the traditional Patka, a symbol of the region's rich cultural heritage, at the reception hosted by the Hon'ble President of India this evening," the Assam CM said in a post on X.
"From the President and the Prime Minister to foreign dignitaries, everyone wore the Patka with respect and pride. Mr. Gandhi alone stood apart, reinforcing a perception of disregard towards the North East. Such conduct explains why his party has lost the trust of the region and much of the country. Yet, this repeated insensitivity continues," he added.