New Delhi: The Congress on Friday accused the Modi government of following “cheap politics” for denying a front row seat to party president Rahul Gandhi at the Republic Day parade. Congress communication chief Randeep Surjewala tweeted, “The Modi government’s cheap politics is for all to see.”

Tagging a photo of Mr. Gandhi who is seen seated next to Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mr. Surjewala said, “The Congress president was deliberately made to sit in the sixth row, after initially assigning him a fourth row seat, at the Republic Day celebrations by the arrogant rulers, who set aside all past traditions. For us the celebration of the Constitution is foremost.”

Former Prime Ministers H.D. Deve Gowda and Manmohan Singh were seen seated in the front row. Union Ministers Smriti Irani and Thawarchand Gehlot were right behind them.

On Thursday, Congress leaders accused the government of trying to “humiliate” Mr. Gandhi at the Republic Day parade that was being attended by 10 heads of states and governments of ASEAN countries. Government sources, however, said seat allotment was done as per the Warrant of Precedence followed by the Home Ministry.

And the chief of the principal Opposition does not have a place in the warrant. The Leader of the Opposition, by protocol, is given the seventh row, while other MPs are seated in 21st row. Until last year, Sonia Gandhi was given front row seats along with BJP president Amit Shah.