Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and others paid tribute to late Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao on his 102nd birthday on Wednesday.
Remembering the former Prime Minister, Modi said in a tweet: “His far-sighted leadership and commitment to India’s development was noteworthy. We honor his invaluable contributions to our nation’s progress.”
Federal Minister Hardeep Singh Puri also paid lavish homage to Rao, remembering him as a “tall leader” who was respected across party lines and “the first Congress Prime Minister from outside the dynasty to complete a successful five-year term in office”.
Another BJP politician, Assam State Chief Himanta Biswa Sarma offered “heartfelt tributes” as he wrote on Twitter: “Former PM PV Narasimha Rao ji, an exceptional scholar and accomplished administrator, led our nation through formidable challenges. Under his guidance, I persevered in serving my constituency despite facing initial election defeat.”
Congress Remembers PV Narasimha Rao on His Birth Anniversary
© Photo : Twitter/@INCIndia
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in a message on Twitter said that the late veteran leader’s “tremendous contribution towards [the] economic transformation of India and nation building shall always be cherished”.
BJP IT Cell Chief Takes Swipe at Congress
Meanwhile, BJP’s IT cell chief Amit Malviya took a dig at Congress for remembering Rao only on his birth anniversary because state assembly elections are “round the corner in Telangana”.
He wrote on Twitter: “After disparaging former Prime Minister and Congress President PV Narasimha Rao for decades, Congress suddenly remembers him on his birth anniversary because Telangana elections are round the corner. Let’s not forget that Sonia Gandhi denied him dignity even in death. His mortal remains were not allowed to be placed in the Delhi Congress HQ for people to pay their last respects.”
Born on 28 June 1921, in the village of Laknepalli, Telangana, Rao was the first person outside the Nehru-Gandhi family to complete a full five-year term as Prime Minister from 1991 to 1996, when he was voted out.