Seated in fourth row in 2018, Rahul Gandhi gets front seat this Republic Day

Rahul Gandhi, who had taken over as the new Congress chief last year from his mother Sonia Gandhi, was designated the fourth row seat during the 2018 Republic Day celebrations.

After a row over his seating arrangement at the Republic Day last year, Congress president Rahul Gandhi was seen sitting in the front row along with Union minister Nitin Gadkari at the 70th Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi. While Gandhi got a front row seat, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad was seen seated in the second row behind Gandhi, unlike last year when both of them were made to sit in the fourth row.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi and other dignitaries during the 70th Republic Day Parade at Rajpath in New Delhi on January 26. (AP Photo)

Gandhi, who had taken over as the new Congress chief last year from his mother Sonia Gandhi, was designated the fourth row seat during the 2018 Republic Day celebrations, prompting angry protest from his party which accused the government of setting aside traditions and indulging in “cheap politics”.

The Congress sources maintained that their party presidents had always been seated in the front row at the Republic Day Parade celebrations at Rajpath.

Gandhi earlier took to Twitter to wish the countrymen on Republic Day. “Best wishes to the countrymen on Republic Day,” he said. Senior party leader P Chidambaram also wished the citizens on the occasion.

“Happy Republic Day to all. Republic Day marks the birth of the Constitution of India. Celebrating the Constitution is a joy. Saving the Constitution is a duty,” he tweeted.