Birthday wishes poured in for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as he turned 56 on Friday, as party youth performed ‘Dugdabhishek’ by pouring milk on his photo on the banks of the Ganges. The poster depicts Gandhi holding the ax of Lord Parshuram in one hand and the Constitution of India in the other.
Gandhi also met his supporters who gathered at 24 Akbar Street to wish him a happy birthday. Congress leader Sachin Pilot, who also reached out to Akbar, said: “Today is Rahul Gandhi’s birthday and we all extend our greetings and best wishes to him. We hope he succeeds in his struggle. Especially today, the youth of the country are looking up to him with hope and expectation. He has strongly raised his voice against the negative direction in which the present regime is heading.”
Posters were also put up outside Indira Bhawan in the national capital, offering birthday wishes to Rahul Gandhi.
Supporters, party leaders and workers gathered at the Congress office to wish the leader a happy birthday. Gandhi was seen waving and sending a flying kiss to party workers and supporters.
Tributes also came from across the political spectrum. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also extended his wishes to Gandhi saying, “Warm birthday wishes to Shri Rahul Gandhi. Your unbridled devotion to the ideals of the Constitution and your relentless fight for unheard voices have inspired millions.”
“The Congress Party’s tradition of inclusivity, social justice, harmony and compassion finds expression in your public life and leadership. Through your tireless engagement with the people and your courage to speak truth to power, you have consistently championed the cause of the most vulnerable and marginalized,” he wrote on X.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor extended his birthday greetings to Gandhi and wished him continued resolve and strength in promoting a more inclusive democracy in the country.
Speaking to reporters, Tharoor expressed confidence in the party’s prospects in the upcoming elections in Punjab, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh under Gandhi’s leadership as Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha.
“I have come to wish him continued resolve, resilience, resolve and strength in leading a more inclusive democracy in our country. What we need is a strong opposition, and with Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, that is exactly what we need. We won the elections in Kerala after 10 years, and then we have Punjab, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. We have a good chance in all these places, and this is the time to change course. I think it will happen,” Tharoor added. “He continues to do it with great dedication.”
Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit said he believes this is a special birthday for Gandhi and added that his struggle will soon earn him a place in the government.
“I think this is an even more special birthday. Two days ago, he had addressed the youth, especially students and aspirants. He has emerged as a unique leader again. After the Bharat Guddu Yatra, he has emerged as a different kind of leader. So, he is setting new milestones and this is a special birthday for him… I think his struggle will soon give him a place in the government,” he added.
Expressing his wishes, Congress leader Pawan Khera said, “We are all filled with great enthusiasm today. Everyone feels that we should join the fight that Rahul ji is waging, because it is the kind of struggle this country has been waiting for. The only sad part is the fact that paper leakage incidents are constantly happening and many young people are committing suicide. Rahul Gandhi has taken up the mantle to wake up the sleeping government.”
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut also extended birthday wishes to Gandhi, wishing the Congress leader prosperity in his future endeavours.
In X’s post, Raut said: “Happy birthday, @RahulGandhi ji! Wishing you good health, happiness and strength to continue serving the nation. May the coming year bring you success and fulfillment.”
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay extended warm wishes on Gandhi’s birthday, wishing him a long and healthy life.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister addressed Gandhi as his “dear brother” and lauded his dedication to public service.
“I wish you good health and long life as you continue to raise your voice for the progress of the nation and the preservation of democratic values and the well-being of people from all walks of life,” Vijay said.
Gandhi, who is the 12th Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, was born on June 19, 1970, at Holy Family Hospital in the national capital, the first of two children born to Rajiv Gandhi, who later served as India’s sixth Prime Minister, and Sonia Gandhi, who later became Congress president, according to news agency ANI.
