Why there was an empty chair at Red Fort today
What's the story
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the Red Fort to address the nation on its 77th Independence Day on Tuesday, an empty chair stood out from the huge gathering.
It was not due to any mismanagement by the organizers but probably a symbolic gesture by an opposition leader.
This seat was reserved for Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, who stayed away from the ceremony.
Details
Kharge released strong video message
A chair with Kharge's name was among the vacant seats at a section of the historic Red Fort where PM Modi delivered his I-Day speech.
Explaining his absence, the Congress said he was "not feeling well."
However, Kharge sent out a strong recorded video message highlighting the contributions of past prime ministers.
Reportedly, Kharge hoisted the flag at the party office in Delhi.
Mallikarjun Kharge
Referred to BJP icon Atal Bihari Vajpayee, other PMs
In his message, Kharge paid tribute to freedom icons Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Subhash Chandra Bose, Maulana Azad, Rajendra Prasad, Sarojini Naidu, and BR Ambedkar.
He also praised India's first PM Jawaharlal Nehru and other Congress PMs like Indira Gandhi, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Rajiv Gandhi, Narasimha Rao, and Manmohan Singh.
He also mentioned Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) icon Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Speech
'Democracy, Constitution, autonomous bodies under serious threat': Kharge
While taking an apparent dig at PM Modi, Kharge said, "Every prime minister has contributed to the progress of the nation. Today some people try to say that India has seen progress only in the past few years."
"All PMs thought about the nation and took steps for development. But, today, democracy, Constitution, and autonomous bodies are under serious threat," he said.
Twitter Post
Kharge hoists tricolor at Congress headquarters, targets Centre
#WATCH | Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge says government trying to muzzle the voice of the opposition
— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2023
"Opposition MPs in Parliament being suspended...Sansad mein jab mein khud hi baat karne ke liye uthta hun toh mera mike bandh ho jata hai..." pic.twitter.com/VMmhmjLJdH