Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the many top political leaders who wished Congress president Rahul Gandhi good health and a long life on his 49th birthday on Wednesday.
“Best wishes to Shri Rahul Gandhi on his birthday. May he be blessed with good health and a long life,” Mr. Modi tweeted early in the morning, putting behind the bitter exchanges between the two leaders during the election campaign.
Mr. Gandhi soon reciprocated tweeting, “Thank you for your greetings Narendra Modi ji. I appreciate them.”
Though the party or its workers did not resort to any celebrations because of the encephalitis deaths in Bihar, Mr. Gandhi did meet his colleagues and workers at the party headquarters.
The party sought to convey an important political message amid reports that Mr. Gandhi was adamant on stepping down as its chief after the election debacle.
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress general secretary in charge of western U.P. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad were among those who wished Mr. Gandhi at the party headquarters. The Congress chief appeared in a joyous mood, shared light moments with party workers and offered sweets to reporters. Several senior Opposition leaders including DMK chief MK Stalin, BSP supremo Mayawati and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took to Twitter to wish the Congress chief.
“I wish my good friend @RahulGandhi a very happy birthday. I wish you many more years of public service. #HappyBirthdayRahulGandhi,” the DMK chief tweeted.
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh added a personal touch to his wishes. “Wish you a very happy birthday, dear @RahulGandhi. Proud of who you have become over the years; I see my dear friend (late) Rajiv (Gandhi) in you,” he said.
“Your indomitable courage in face of every adversity, Your indelible commitment to principles in face of every onslaught, Your simplicity & straightforwardness when being machiavellian is often considered a virtue is what endears u & sets u apart,” tweeted party communications chief Randeep Surjewala.
“Thank you all for your best wishes and greetings on my birthday. I’m overwhelmed and grateful for your love and affection,” Mr. Gandhi later tweeted and tagged some pictures on the micro-blogging site of his meeting the party leaders and workers.
