Sonia Gandhi turns 71, workers celebrate at 10 Janpath

New Delhi: Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who is set to handle over the party’s mantle to her son Rahul Gandhi after steering it for 19 years, on Saturday turned 71 and party leaders and workers thronged her residence to greet her on her birthday.

Mrs Gandhi also met a number of leaders, including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and accepted their greetings. Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress leader in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and several former chief ministers and officer bearers of Congress also greeted Mrs Gandhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also wished Gandhi with a tweet. “Birthday greetings to Congress President Smt Sonia Gandhi. I pray for her long life and good health,” tweeted Mr Modi.

Congressmen gathered outside Mrs Gandhi’s 10 Janpath residence since morning and celebrated her birthday by dancing to the beats of drums. Many carried posters and placards wishing her.

Former Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat tried his hands at the drums as folk dancers performed outside Mrs Gandhi’s house at 10, Janpath in Lutyens’ Delhi.