In the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, a seating reshuffle has sparked discontent among opposition leaders, particularly within the Samajwadi Party (SP). Ayodhya MP Awdhesh Prasad, who was previously seated in the front row alongside Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav, has been moved to the second row. This change has led to visible frustration from SP chief Akhilesh Yadav.

Seating Reshuffle Sparks Controversy

Under the new seating arrangement for the 18th Lok Sabha, Congress reduced SP's front-row representation from two seats to one, leaving Akhilesh Yadav as the sole SP member in the first row. Awdhesh Prasad, who had gained prominence after defeating BJP in Ayodhya, now shares the second-row seat with SP MP Dimple Yadav, Akhilesh's wife.

     Key changes in seating arrangement:

          Awdhesh Prasad: Moved from first row to second row, seat no. 357.

          Dimple Yadav: Assigned seat no. 358 in the second row.                                                                                                     

          Rahul Gandhi: Continues in the first row, seat no. 498.

          Priyanka Gandhi: Allocated seat no. 517 in the fourth row.

Why Is SP Upset?

Akhilesh Yadav is reportedly unhappy about not being consulted on the changes. As the leader of SP's parliamentary group, he expected to be involved in such decisions. He expressed displeasure over the lack of communication from Congress, the leading opposition party in the INDIA bloc.

Dimple Yadav raised the issue with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, requesting that SP retain two front-row seats, as in the past. However, there is no assurance from the Speaker regarding this adjustment.

Tensions Within the Opposition Bloc

The seating reshuffle underscores emerging cracks in the INDIA alliance. Disagreements between Congress and SP over issues like the Adani controversy and the Sambhal violence have further widened the divide.

On December 5, SP MPs notably skipped Congress's protest outside Parliament, signaling growing differences. Congress's push for a debate on Adani contrasts with SP's focus on Sambhal, reflecting a lack of alignment on priorities.

Congress-Akhilesh Rift

In July and August sessions, Awdhesh Prasad was prominently seated beside Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav. His placement symbolized SP's critical role in the opposition. However, the current reshuffle places Congress in control of front-row allotments, reducing SP's visibility.

    Congress’s strategic reshuffle:

      Rahul Gandhi remains the centerpiece of the opposition's front-row representation.

      SP’s reduced presence signals

Awdhesh Prasad’s Political Rise

The controversy highlights Awdhesh Prasad’s growing stature within SP. As the MP who defeated BJP in Ayodhya—a constituency crucial to the Ram Mandir narrative—Prasad’s initial placement in the first row was seen as a strategic move to challenge BJP.

His speeches and proximity to key opposition leaders made him a poster boy for the opposition. However, the reshuffle threatens to diminish his visibility in Parliament.

What’s Next?

While Dimple Yadav has appealed for reinstating SP’s two front-row seats, it remains uncertain whether the Speaker will act. The seating dispute reflects broader challenges for the INDIA bloc in maintaining unity amid differing agendas and leadership dynamics.

As Congress and SP navigate these tensions, the incident serves as a reminder of the fragile coalition that defines the current opposition landscape.