New Delhi, Dec. 5 -- Amid the ongoing visit of Russian President Putin, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Thursday sparked a political row after claiming that the Centre advises visiting foreign dignitaries not to meet LoP, arguing that this breaks an old tradition and reflects the government's "insecurity."

However, Government sources rejected the charge, saying it is the visiting delegation, not the Modi government, that decides meetings outside official events, and noted that several foreign leaders have met the LoP since June 2024. BJP MP Sambit Patra also called the remarks "inappropriate" and "factually incorrect."

While speaking to reporters outside the Parliament, the Congress MP said, "This has been a tradition. But these da...