PM Narendra Modi pays tribute to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversary

New Delhi [India], May 21 (HBTV): Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on Thursday on the occasion of his death anniversary. The Prime Minister shared a message of remembrance for the late Congress leader on social media.

In a post on X, PM Modi said, ‘Tributes to former Prime Minister Shri Rajiv Gandhi Ji on his death anniversary.’

Meanwhile, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with her children Miraya and Raihan Vadra, paid homage to Rajiv Gandhi at his memorial, Vir Bhumi, in the national capital.

Senior Congress leaders Ashok Gehlot, P Chidambaram, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, and Mukul Wasnik, among others, also paid tribute to the former Prime Minister at Vir Bhumi earlier in the day.

In a separate post on X, Kharge reflected on Rajiv Gandhi’s contributions to India’s development and described him as a ‘remarkable son of India.’ He highlighted several initiatives associated with Rajiv Gandhi’s tenure, including lowering the voting age to 18, strengthening Panchayati Raj institutions, promoting the information technology sector, securing peace accords, and introducing a modern education policy.

Kharge said, ‘India is an old country but a young nation... I dream of India -- strong, independent, self-reliant and in the front rank of the nations of the world, in the service of mankind.’ Referring to Rajiv Gandhi’s legacy, he added that his contributions continue to shape modern India and inspire future generations.

Rajiv Gandhi assumed leadership of the Congress party in 1984 following the assassination of his mother and then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He became India’s youngest Prime Minister at the age of 40 after taking office in October 1984.

He served as Prime Minister until December 2, 1989. Born on August 20, 1944, Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a suicide bomber belonging to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam during an election rally in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, on May 21, 1991.

(ANI)