Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi launched a sharp critique against the central government on Saturday for its decision to exclude the leaders of the opposition from a high-profile state dinner. The dinner was hosted by President Droupadi Murmu in honour of visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin.
A "Petty" Omission Sparks Bipartisanship Debate
Chaturvedi, speaking to the ANI news agency, described the omission of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as a "petty" move. She emphasised that the position of the President of India is constitutionally bipartisan and should represent all sides of the political spectrum. "The position of the President is not affiliated with any political side. It is bipartisan. So the President has to take note of all sides," Chaturvedi stated.
The MP, who is a former Congress leader herself, warned against setting a dangerous precedent. "No trend should be started that further pollutes democratic rules and regulations. The dignity and responsibility attached to the President’s office must be upheld," she added, expressing disappointment that only representatives from the ruling side were invited to the official banquet at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Accusations of "Hijacking" a State Event
Earlier, Chaturvedi had taken to social media platform X to voice her concerns more forcefully. In a post directed at the President's office, she accused the government of "hijacking" the state visit for political purposes. "Unfortunate to see a state banquet to welcome a foreign dignitary being hijacked by the government to keep away leaders of the opposition," she wrote.
Her post further argued that this action "doesn’t augur well for democracy" and merely showcases the ruling dispensation's pettiness. She urged the President's office not to become a "toolkit" to undermine long-standing parliamentary traditions and customs of inclusion during major diplomatic events.
Congress Confirms Snub, Questions Arise Over Guest List
The controversy was confirmed by Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh, who stated that neither Mallikarjun Kharge (the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha) nor Rahul Gandhi (the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha) received an invitation to the dinner. This visit marked President Putin's first trip to India since December 2021 and his first since the onset of the Ukraine war, making the diplomatic engagement particularly significant.
Adding another layer to the dispute, Congress leader Pawan Khera pointed out an inconsistency in the guest list. He expressed surprise that while senior opposition leaders were excluded, party colleague and MP Shashi Tharoor was invited, questioning the criteria used for the selections.
Rahul Gandhi also weighed in, alleging that the government did not arrange a meeting for him with President Putin in his official capacity as the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. He attributed this move to the government's "insecurity."
The incident has ignited a fresh political debate on the protocols surrounding state visits and the inclusion of opposition figures in major national events, raising questions about bipartisan representation during key diplomatic moments.
