The Congress party has expressed serious concerns regarding the allocation of front-row seats in Parliament, accusing the BJP-led central government of unilaterally altering an agreed-upon formula for seat distribution. According to Congress sources, the established formula allocated one front-row seat for every 28 members, which would have entitled the opposition INDIA bloc to seven front-row seats, excluding those for the Trinamool Congress (TMC). These seats were to be distributed among the alliance members as follows: one seat for the Leader of the Opposition (LoP), three for Congress, two for the Samajwadi Party (SP), and one for the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).
The revised seat allocation, however, has led to frustration among the opposition parties, prompting Congress and the Samajwadi Party to formally protest. They have raised the issue with the concerned minister, asserting that the changes are unfair and undermine the opposition's representation in Parliament. SP leaders, in particular, have voiced dissatisfaction, reportedly feeling that Congress has not pushed back strongly enough against the government’s actions.
Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav confirmed that her party has also approached Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to request an additional front-row seat to address their concerns. Meanwhile, SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav sought to defuse potential tensions within the INDIA bloc by stating that his party is not upset with Congress but rather sees the BJP's actions as an attempt to create rifts within the opposition alliance.
“I am not upset with the Congress Party. However, those responsible for arranging seating in Parliament should consider that the BJP will try to create divisions among INDIA bloc allies,” Akhilesh Yadav said in a statement. “The BJP does not want the INDIA alliance to remain united. The seating arrangement is not a major issue, and we can resolve it whenever necessary,” he added, emphasizing the need for unity within the opposition to counter the BJP's dominance.
The finalized seating arrangements for the 18th Lok Sabha were announced before the Winter Session. Prime Minister Narendra Modi retained his prominent Seat No. 1, while Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah were assigned seats 2 and 3, respectively. Congress leaders faced notable changes, with newly-elected Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi being placed in the fourth row, while Rahul Gandhi was assigned seat number 498. SP leader Akhilesh Yadav was allocated seat number 355, next to Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sudeep Bandopadhyay, who was given seat number 354.
The controversy highlights the symbolic importance of seating arrangements in Parliament, often seen as a reflection of the political clout and status of individual parties. For the INDIA bloc, which is striving to present a united front ahead of the crucial 2024 general elections, such disputes underscore the challenges of coordinating among diverse alliance members.
While the BJP’s control over parliamentary procedures remains undisputed, its handling of issues like seating arrangements has drawn criticism for allegedly sidelining opposition voices. On the other hand, the INDIA bloc faces the task of ensuring that internal disagreements do not overshadow their broader objectives. Akhilesh Yadav’s conciliatory tone and call for unity within the alliance could signal a strategic pivot toward focusing on collective strength, rather than letting procedural issues divert attention from larger political goals.
The incident reflects a broader theme in Indian politics: the struggle between the ruling party’s institutional dominance and the opposition's attempts to assert its presence in both Parliament and the public discourse. As the Winter Session progresses, the seating controversy may serve as a litmus test for the INDIA bloc’s cohesion and its ability to challenge the BJP’s influence effectively.
