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Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge unfurled the national flag at the event, which was attended by party functionaries from across the capital.
Rahul Gandhi at Congress’ I-day event. (PTI)
Congress MP and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi was not seen at the Independence Day programme at the Red Fort on Thursday, instead taking part in his party’s celebrations at Indira Bhavan in Delhi. Gandhi joined Congress workers and senior leaders for the flag hoisting ceremony.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge unfurled the national flag at the event, which was attended by party functionaries from across the capital. “Today, we remember all the freedom fighters whose sacrifices brought us this independence. It is our duty to protect it,” the Congress stated.
The absence of Rahul Gandhi from the official Red Fort ceremony comes amid heightened political sparring between the Congress and the BJP in recent weeks.
Reacting to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s absence from the government’s Independence Day programme at the Red Fort, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla launched a sharp attack, accusing him of insulting the nation and the armed forces.
“Today, on 15th August, we celebrate our freedom. This is the national day of the country, not the birthday of a person or the programme of a single party. But the Congress has proved it is not the Indian National Congress, but the Islamabad National Congress or the Italian National Congress,” Poonawalla said.
He alleged that by skipping the national ceremony, the Leader of the Opposition had gone “against Modi, against the country, and against the Constitution.” Referring to the Red Fort honours for Operation Sindoor and the armed forces, he claimed, “Going against the army has become a common thing for Congress. The Leader of the Opposition has always said he is against the Indian state and does not even consider India a nation.”
Poonawalla further charged that the Congress’s conduct amounted to “an insult to the army, the Constitution, the country’s major military operations, and the martyrs and freedom fighters.” He said, “Rahul Gandhi has dishonoured the nation. The Supreme Court has already said he does not speak like an Indian. While fighting Modi and the BJP, Rahulji, you have started fighting the country.”
Covering day-to-day national and international news for the last nine years across print and digital. Associated with News18.com as Chief Sub-Editor since 2022, covering innumerable big and small events, includ…Read More
Covering day-to-day national and international news for the last nine years across print and digital. Associated with News18.com as Chief Sub-Editor since 2022, covering innumerable big and small events, includ… Read More
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