Our leaders were treated the same: BJP

After a controversy broke out over Congress president Rahul Gandhi's seat in the sixth row at the Republic Day parade, the BJP on Saturday clarified that protocol was followed. They took jibes as Gandhi for "considering himself a super VVIP who should be put ahead of everyone else".

BJP party leaders on behalf of the party said that BJP leaders were treated similarly during the Congress rule, but never created an issue out of it.

BJP national spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao rejected the Congress criticism saying it did not behove the party which "claims to have a 133-year-old illustrious history".

"The same treatment was meted out to BJP national presidents and leaders like Rajnath Singh when the Congress was in power," he said.

"We never made it an issue. We function with a spirit of democracy...If this is your democratic spirit or understanding of democracy, it is a shame on the Congress party," he said.

Earlier, the Grand Old party had expressed its ire at the Centre accusing it of playing "cheap politics" and forgetting tradition.

Senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid expressed displeasure over the issue, hitting out at the Centre, terming it "unfortunate" that it did not "realise the importance of the leader".

"It's sad if those in power think somebody's stature is decided by where that person is seated. This was more an issue of good manners than protocols. He is the president of the largest opposition party, and if the government does not realise his importance, then it is unfortunate," Khurshid said.

Row over seat

BJP leaders hit out at the controversy over Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s sixth row seat at the Republic Day Parade saying BJP leaders were also treated in a similar fashion during the UPA rule.