The exclusion of Delhi's tableau from the 2025 Republic Day parade has sparked a heated political exchange between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as Delhi Assembly elections loom. Former Chief Minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal accused the Centre of indulging in "vendetta politics" against Delhiites, alleging deliberate sidelining of the national capital.
Kejriwal expressed frustration over the exclusion, labeling it as an insult to Delhi’s residents and questioning the BJP’s intent to govern the city. He argued that, as the nation's capital, Delhi's tableau deserved a spot in the parade every year and accused the BJP of lacking substantive issues to campaign on, resorting instead to attacking AAP and its leadership.
The exclusion of Delhi’s tableau has been a recurring issue in recent years, and its omission from the 2025 parade has further fueled AAP's criticism of the Modi government. Kejriwal’s remarks come amid heightened tensions between the Centre and the Delhi government over several administrative and political issues.
The Ministry of Defence clarified that the tableau selection process is impartial and governed by a rotating roster system. According to ministry sources, 15 states and Union Territories (UTs) participate every three years, and Delhi’s proposal was reviewed but not approved by the Tableau Selection Committee. They emphasized that merit and creativity, rather than political affiliations, determine inclusion.
The Centre also pointed out that other regions, including Mizoram, Sikkim, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep, were not part of the selection process, either due to non-submission of proposals or non-participation in meetings. Additionally, states like Punjab, governed by AAP, were included, showcasing what the government described as the fairness of the process.
India’s 76th Republic Day will feature tableaux from states and UTs such as Bihar, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh. The event aims to celebrate the cultural and historical diversity of the country, with a selection process intended to ensure equitable representation over time.
This development adds another dimension to the contentious relationship between AAP and BJP, with both sides using the tableau controversy to bolster their narratives ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections. While the Defence Ministry defends its impartial approach, AAP’s accusations resonate with its ongoing criticism of perceived central overreach in the administration of Delhi.
Â
