Rahul meets Congress workers on birthday, Modi wishes him

Amid ongoing speculations over his elevation as Congress President, Rahul Gandhi met hundreds of party workers on his 46th birthday at the party headquarters here on Sunday.

The party Vice-President was greeted with flowers, garlands and bouquets by enthusiastic supporters, many of whom even raised slogans in his support.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished Gandhi on Sunday morning and prayed for his long and healthy life.

"Birthday wishes to the Congress VP, Rahul Gandhi. May he be blessed with a long and healthy life," tweeted Modi.

Gandhi replied: "Thank you @narendramodi ji for your kind wishes!"

A party source said Gandhi arrived at the party headquarters around 11.45 a.m. and remained there for one and a half hours and met all workers. Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee chief Ajay Maken was also present.

Senior Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ahmed Patel, P. Chidambaram, Sheila Dikshit, Motilal Vora and Anand Sharma greeted Gandhi at his Tughlak Lane residence.

Among other prominent political figures who wished him were DMK chief M. Karunanidhi, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundharaj Raje, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh, Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad, his son and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav, Lok Janshakti Party leader Chirag Paswan, BJP's Shahnawaz Hussain and Nationalist Congress Party leader Praful Patel.

Gandhi later took to Twitter to thank everyone: "Thank you everyone for the warm birthday wishes! Grateful for the love & blessings."

--IANS

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