Congress workers celebrate as Rahul Gandhi turns 45

Scores of Congress workers celebrated the birthday of party Vice President Rahul Gandhi, who turned 45 today, with fanfare bursting crackers and raining flower petals outside his residence here.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended birthday greetings to Rahul, who thanked him for the wishes.

Rahul's mother and Congress President Sonia Gandhi drove to his 12, Tughalq Lane residence, outside which a large gathering of Congress workers, led by Jagdish Sharma, celebrated the occasion with cutting cake and singing in praise of Rahul's leadership.

A large number of women workers of the party also gathered outside his residence.

Later, Rahul drove to the Congress headquarters, where he met the party office-bearers and shared sweets. Dressed in white, a large number of workers from Congress Seva Dal had come to greet Rahul. Party supporters had brought a birthday cake, weighing 45-kg.

This was the first time that Rahul was in the national capital on his birthday after many years. Hence celebrations have been planned in a big way this time. On his last few birthdays, Rahul was not in Delhi and was travelling abroad.

The occasion comes at a time when Rahul, back after a nearly two-month-long break from politics, is taking on the NDA government aggressively, joining dharnas and taking out padyatras on issues of farmers, Dalits and sanitation workers.

The celebrations also come amid speculation that Rahul might be taking up a larger role and become the party President replacing his mother.

Back from the break from politics, Rahul has been meeting party workers on a regular basis and has been interacting much more with the media in contrast to the past.