Leaders Pay Tribute To Former PM Rajiv Gandhi On His 28th Death Anniversary

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress President Rahul Gandhi, and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi were among several political leaders on Tuesday, who paid homage to late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 28th death anniversary.

Rajiv Gandhi's wife Sonia Gandhi, and his children, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who is also the Congress General Secretary, paid tributes at his memorial, Veer Bhumi, in the capital.

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and former President Pranab Mukherjee, were also present at Veer Bhumi along with other senior party leaders.

Modi, who was recently criticized for his remarks against Rajiv Gandhi while campaigning for the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, said in a tweet: "Tributes to former PM Shri Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversary."

Tributes to former PM Shri Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversary.

— Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 21, 2019

After visiting Veer Bhumi, Rahul Gandhi said in a tweet: "My father was gentle, loving, kind & affectionate. He taught me to love & respect all beings. To never hate. To forgive. I miss him. On his death anniversary, I remember my father with love & gratitude."

My father was gentle, loving, kind & affectionate. He taught me to love & respect all beings. To never hate. To forgive.

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I miss him.

On his death anniversary, I remember my father with love & gratitude.#RememberingRajivGandhi pic.twitter.com/sYPGu5jGFC

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 21, 2019

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also remembered the late leader, saying: "Solemnly and very fondly remembering former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversary."

Solemnly and very fondly remembering former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversary

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) May 21, 2019

Overseas, Congress chief Sam Pitroda, in a series of tweets, said: "Today is the day to pay respect to this great leader who dreamed of India in the 21st century and at the same time reflect on his contribution to India."

Today is the day to pay respect to this great leader who dreamed of India in the 21st century and at the same time reflect on his contribution to India.

— Sam Pitroda (@sampitroda) May 21, 2019

Pitroda worked with him as an advisor on technology missions.

"Rajiv Gandhi's life was taken away at an early age by a terror attack. His loss left a huge vacuum in politics, leadership, and development in India," he added.

Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated on May 21, 1991, by a female LTTE suicide bomber, who greeted him at a rally in Tamil Nadu's Sriperumbudur town, with a bomb strapped to her chest.

He served as the sixth Prime Minister of India from 1984 to 1989. He took office after the 1984 assassination of his mother, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, becoming the country's youngest Prime Minister at age 40.

(IANS)