Rahul Gandhi attends Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort, first LoP to do so in a decade

On Thursday, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi made history by attending the Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort, marking the first time in a decade that a Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha has been present at the event. Clad in a traditional white kurta suit, Gandhi was seen seated alongside Indian Olympic medallists, including Manu Bhaker, Sarabjot Singh, and PR Sreejesh, as they celebrated the nation’s 77th Independence Day.

The former Congress chief was also photographed with stars from India's Olympic-bronze-winning hockey team, including captain Harmanpreet Singh, reflecting the significance of sports in India's national pride.

The post of Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha remained vacant from 2014 to 2024, as no opposition party had the requisite number of MPs to occupy the position. However, following the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year, where the Congress improved its tally from 52 to 99 seats, Rahul Gandhi was officially appointed as the Leader of Opposition on June 25.

Gandhi's presence at the Independence Day celebrations is seen as a significant moment in Indian politics, symbolizing the return of a strong opposition presence in the Lok Sabha after a prolonged absence.