New Delhi: The row over BJP general secretary Ram Madhav questioning Vice President Hamid Ansari's absence at the Yoga Day celebrations escalated today, with Congress accusing the ruling party of playing "divisive" politics and the latter clarifying he was not invited because of protocol issues.

Minister of State for Ayush Shripad Naik, whose Ministry organised the International Day of Yoga event at Rajpath
yesterday, said when Prime Minister is the chief guest at a programme, the President or Vice President cannot be invited as per protocol as the two are above the PM in order of precedence.