R-Day Seating Row: Rahul Gandhi, Kharge in Third Row Sparks Congress Outrage

• Congress accused Centre of flouting protocol after Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge were seated in the third row at the Republic Day parade.
• Congress leaders, including Randeep Surjewala and Manickam Tagore, questioned the 'protocol mess-up' and alleged deliberate insult.
• The Table of Precedence ranks Leaders of Opposition on par with Union Cabinet Ministers, after the Lok Sabha Speaker, CJI, and former PMs.
• BJP dismissed allegations, accusing Congress of politicizing the event and Rahul Gandhi of being distracted during the parade.
• BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla stated seating is decided by a set format and criticized Congress for prioritizing 'entitlement and ego'.

Why It Matters: A row erupted over Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge's third-row seating at the R-Day parade.