Congress leaders on Monday paid tributes to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his birth anniversary, which it also celebrates as Sadbhavna divas or Harmony Day.
Congress President Rahul Gandhi, who offered his tributes, said the untimely demise of his father left deep void in his life. He also went back in time and recalled birthdays he used to celebrate with him.
Gandhi's tweet read: "Rajiv Gandhi was a kind, gentle and affectionate man whose untimely death left a deep void in my life. I remember the times we had together and the many birthdays we were lucky to celebrate with him when he was alive. He is greatly missed, but his memory lives on."
PM Modi also paid tributes and said, "we remember his efforts towards the nation."
"Tributes to our former Prime Minister Shri Rajiv Gandhi Ji on his birth anniversary. We remember his efforts towards the nation," his tweet read.
Tributes to our former Prime Minister Shri Rajiv Gandhi Ji on his birth anniversary. We remember his efforts towards the nation.
Meanwhile, former President Pranab Mukherjee, Ex-Vice President Hamid Ansari, former prime minister Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka and Robert Vadra, Ashok Gehlot, Ghulam Nabi Azad and other senior leaders also paid their tribute to the former prime minister.
Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated on the night of May 21, 1991 at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu by a woman suicide bomber, identified as Dhanu, at a poll rally. Fourteen others, including Dhanu herself, were also killed in the blast. Gandhi's assassination was perhaps the first case of suicide bombing which had claimed the life of a high-profile leader.