India, Aug. 15 -- Congress MPs Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge skipped the Independence Day festivities at the Red Fort, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered his customary address on Saturday, August 15.

This is the second time in a row that the two leaders were missing from the event.

While no Congress leader attributed any reason to the leaders' absence this time, the connection can likely be made to a controversy that took place during the 2024 Independence Day celebration at Red Fort.

The LoP was seated in the second last row that year as opposed to the tradition of being seated in the front row during ceremonial events alongside senior ministers.

Tensions over seating arrangements at official events have long been a p...