Cong criticises PM Modi for skipping Indira Gandhi death anniversary event

Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma on Tuesday lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not remembering former prime minister Indira Gandhi on her death anniversary.

Speaking to ANI, Sharma said "Indira Gandhi ji was our national leader; she was respected throughout the world. As today we observe her 33rd death anniversary, it's only few leaders who are present here. Whereas Modi ji who needs to shows his respect is not present. This is very unfortunate that BJP didn't organise any programme in her memory."

"The attitude of Prime Minister Modi towards Indira ji is unacceptable and he must realise that. It shows the narrow mentality and thinking of the governing party," he said.

However earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi paid tribute to Indira Gandhi.

He took to Twitter saying, "Tributes to former PM Mrs Indira Gandhi on her death anniversary".

Gandhi was the first female Prime Minister of India and the daughter of the first Prime Minister late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. She was born on November 19, 1917.

Indira Gandhi was assassinated on October 31, 1984, by her bodyguards a few months after she ordered the storming of the Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar to counter the Punjab insurgency.