Rahul Gandhi: What’s so bad about being a backbencher?

Indian politics doesn’t even take tea breaks. The latest parliamental drama is a squabble over who sat where at the 15th August bash at Red Fort. Congress is miffed that their top man and leader of special ops and opposition Rahul Gandhi was parked in the second-last row, when protocol says he should’ve been front and centre. The defence ministry fired back, claiming they followed the ‘table of precedence’ (whatever that bureaucratese means), and that the front-row seats were reserved for Olympic medal-winners.

But, honestly, what’s so bad about being a backbencher? In school or college – or even in office meetings – isn’t that prime real estate? Who in their right mind wants to sit right under the teacher’s/boss’ nose? The backbench was where one can sneak in a game of noughts and crosses, disappear into one’s phone, or brainstorm your latest harebrained scheme to take over the world. It’s the VIP lounge for future masterminds. And let’s not forget seminars and conferences. People rush to join the ‘Occupy Last Row’ movement. Because those seats are right by the escape hatch, in case things get dull. The fact that Gandhi hasn’t raised a fuss says it all. After all, in the crazy circus of politics, sitting in the back might just be the best way to get the full view of the show – and avoid catching any flying chalk from the frontbenchers.