Modi greets Virbhadra on his 83rd birthday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday greeted Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on his 83rd birthday.

"Birthday wishes to Himachal Pradesh CM @virbhadrasingh ji. Praying for his good health and long life," Modi, who is curently in Tashkent for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meet, said in a tweet.

The senior Congress leader celebrated his birthday with special prayers, dancing and the distribution of sweets.

Since early morning, a large number of party activists and well-wishers started pouring into his private residence, Holly Lodge, located in Jakhu hills here.

"I thank you all for the love bestowed by you all. If the people of the state desired, I will love to become the chief minister for the seventh time too," Virbhadra Singh said in his address on the occasion.

Accusing the central BJP government of carrying out political vendetta against him, Virbhadra Singh, who started his political career by entering the Lok Sabha in 1962, said he was not afraid of any inquiry or investigations as the truth would certainly prevail.

He said the ongoing inquiries by the central investigating agencies were being done willingly to malign his image.

The Chief Minister said there might be ideological difference with his political opponents but he didn't have personal difference and animosity with anyone.

A case was registered on September 23 last year by the CBI under the Prevention of Corruption Act against Virbhadra Singh, his wife Pratibha Singh and others after a preliminary inquiry allegedly found that Virbhadra Singh accumulated assets worth Rs 6.03 crore, in his and his family members' names, which were disproportionate to his known sources of income.

Virbhadra was recently questioned by CBI twice in connection with the case.

--IANS

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