New Delhi sources have reported that Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who was at Delhi's Rajpath to attend the 69th Republic Day parade, was made to sit in the sixth row, closer to the public than to union ministers and senior BJP leaders. Meanwhile according to sources in the Congress, it was the first time since independence that the Congress' chief has not been assigned a seat in the front row.
Sources have stated that Rahul was seen in the sixth row with Congress veteran Ghulam Nabi Azad, the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Rajya Sabha. Security men of the 47 year old Congress president crowded next to him, appearing to block the view of people sitting in the back. However, BJP national president Amit Shah was seen in the front row with other senior leaders including party veteran LK Advani.
Rahul while extending greetings to fellow citizens
said "We are citizens of a democratic republic and our strength is built
upon a diversity of religion, cultures, ideas and opinions. No matter our
background, we are proud to share a common bond and our belonging to this
beautiful nation".
