Rahul Gandhi turns 56, wishes pour in from PM Modi, Congress leaders, allies

Birthday wishes poured in for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as he turned 56 on Friday, with party chief Mallikarjun Kharge hailing him for consistently championing the cause of the most vulnerable and marginalised through engagement with people and his courage in speaking truth to power.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended birthday greetings to Gandhi, wishing him good health and a long life. In a post on social media, Modi said, “Best wishes to the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Shri Rahul Gandhi Ji, on his birthday. Praying for his good health and long life.” Gandhi later thanked the prime minister for his wishes.

While a celebration was hosted at the Congress’ 24, Akbar Road office with top leaders of the party attending, workers in several other parts of the country organised community service activities and job fairs and also distributed fruits and sweets. Rahul Gandhi reached the Congress’ 24, Akbar Road office, where he cut a birthday cake in the presence of Kharge and AICC general secretaries Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and K C Venugopal, senior leaders, party workers and supporters. Senior leaders such as Sachin Pilot and Shashi Tharoor also greeted Gandhi at the party office.  The Indian Youth Congress organised a job fair at Talkatora stadium to mark his birthday.

Gandhi, who is a former Congress president and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, received warm greetings from leaders of many INDIA bloc constituents with Samajwadi Party’s Akhilesh Yadav, RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee and NCP (SP)’s Supriya Sule, among others, extending wishes.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and TVK chief C Joseph Vijay also hailed Gandhi for raising his voice for the nation’s progress, the preservation of democratic values and the welfare of people from all walks of life.

Greeting Gandhi on his birthday, Kharge said on social media, “Your unbridled dedication to the ideals of the Constitution and your uncompromising fight for the unheard voices have inspired millions.” “Through your tireless engagement with people and your courage in speaking truth to power, you have consistently championed the cause of the most vulnerable and marginalized. May you be blessed with good health, happiness, strength and a long life in service of the nation,” the Congress president said.

Gandhi thanked Kharge, Congress leaders and party workers for the warm birthday wishes.

“Your love and your commitment to the ideals of the Congress is my source of strength. And to my brothers and sisters across the country: thank you for your affection. It means more to me than I can say. It is our collective resolve to keep raising the voice of every Indian, to fight injustice, and to keep working for the unity and progress of the country we love,” Gandhi said.

In a post, Vijay said, “Warm birthday wishes to my dear brother, Thiru. Rahul Gandhi, Hon’ble Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha. I wish you good health and a long life as you continue to raise your voice for the nation’s progress, the preservation of democratic values and the welfare of people from all walks of life.”

“May all your endeavours meet with success and may you continue to serve with distinction in public life,” he said.

Replying to Vijay, Gandhi said, “We remain united in our commitment to the Constitution and to strengthening our democracy -- and together, we will keep working for the welfare, dignity, and aspirations of the people of Tamil Nadu.”

DMK chief M K Stalin also greeted Gandhi on social media.

Replying to Stalin, Gandhi said, “Thank you, Thiru MK Stalin, for your warm wishes. Our shared resolve to defend the idea of India, our Constitution, and federalism will continue to guide us - this is the fight for the very soul of our democracy, and we will wage it together, until we win.”

In a post in Hindi, Akhilesh Yadav said, “Companions of patriotism, humanity, and truth - We are for ‘One Goal’!

“Heartfelt birthday wishes to Shri Rahul Gandhi ji, along with sincere good wishes for a meaningful and active life!”

Responding to Yadav’s post, Gandhi said the shared resolve to defend the idea of India, the Constitution, and federalism will continue to guide us.

“This is the fight for the very soul of our democracy, and we will wage it together, until we win,” the Congress leader said.

Jharkhand Chief Minister and JMM chief Hemant Soren greeted Gandhi and wished him health and long life.

TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee greeted Gandhi and wished him good health, happiness and continued success in every endeavour. Gandhi thanked him and said, “May we continue to work together to protect our Constitutional values and defend the rights of our people”.

Gandhi also thanked Tejashwi Yadav and Supriya Sule for their wishes.