New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted birthday greetings to Rahul Gandhi, on his 49th birthday, this morning. “May he be blessed with good health and a long life,” PM Modi wrote on Twitter.
Mr Gandhi was also greeted by messages from well-wishers, party workers and supporters on social media resulting in #IAmRahulGandhi and #HappyBirthdayRahulGandhi becoming trending topics.
Mr Gandhi will hope the words of cheer mark a turnaround in fortunes, for both himself and the party, after the opening six months of a year that saw the Congress thumped by the BJP in national elections.
The Congress led the way by posting a short video on Twitter looking back at “five moments when he inspired Indians everywhere”.
Best wishes to Shri @RahulGandhi on his birthday. May he be blessed with good health and a long life.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 19, 2019
On Congress President @RahulGandhi's birthday, we look back at five moments when he inspired Indians everywhere. #HappyBirthdayRahulGandhi pic.twitter.com/Clj0gJ6kqj
— Congress (@INCIndia) June 19, 2019
ജനനം മുതൽ @RahulGandhi ക്ക് വയനാടിനോടുള്ള സ്നേഹം ഓർത്തെടുത്ത് കൊണ്ട് മൂന്നാം ദിന പര്യടനത്തിന് ആരംഭം. തന്റെ ജനന സമയത്ത് ആശുപത്രിയിൽ നഴ്സായി സേവനം ചെയ്ത് വിരമിച്ച ശ്രീമതി രാജമ്മ രാജപ്പനോടൊപ്പം നന്ദിയുടെ നിമിഷങ്ങൾ പങ്കിട്ട് @RahulGandhi#RahulGandhiWayanad pic.twitter.com/HT95rO55Yx
— Rahul Gandhi – Wayanad (@RGWayanadOffice) June 9, 2019
On this special day CP @RahulGandhi
we want to tell that, you have proven yourself to be a leader of high ethics and morality.Your devotion towards the country and people of the country is highly appreciated and recognized by everyone of us. #HappyBirthdayRahulGandhi pic.twitter.com/H6UANy6wRW
— Mumbai Congress (@INCMumbai) June 19, 2019
I wish a very happy birthday to our leader sri @RahulGandhi ji.
Dear Rahulji,You have been our leader, You will be our leader always.
We will fight back under your leadership to save and serve the nation.#HappyBirthdayRahulGandhi— Sanjay Nirupam (@sanjaynirupam) June 19, 2019
Mr Gandhi was at the forefront of his party’s campaign during elections in April and May, repeatedly taking on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over allegations of corruption in the Rafale fighter jet deal and coining the slogan “Chowkidar chor hai“, as he sought to galvanise the Congress.
PM Modi and Mr Gandhi also sparred over his father, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, after PM Modi declared the former Prime Minister “bhrashtachari No 1” (corrupt number 1)” during an election rally in Uttar Pradesh.
Mr Gandhi’s response to PM Modi’s remark was a hug, and a warning on “karma”.
However, despite Mr Gandhi’s best efforts, the Congress slumped to defeat in the election, winning only 52 seats to record a marginal improvement over the all-time low of 44 in 2014 polls.
The election also saw Mr Gandhi lose his parliamentary seat from the family stronghold of Amethi – a seat he held for three consecutive terms – to BJP leader Smriti Irani. He remains a parliamentarian though, having won from Wayanad in Kerala.
Mr Gandhi, who made his first visit to his new constituency earlier this month, took the opportunity meet Rajamma Rajappan, a retired nurse who was present at the time of his birth in Delhi 49 years ago. The Congress chief’s Wayanad Twitter account shared a picture of him hugging the nurse.