PM Modi, Rahul, other leaders pay tribute to Indira Gandhi on birth anniversary
New Delhi, Nov 19: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi and other political leaders paid tributes to former prime minister Indira Gandhi on her 101st birth anniversary Monday.
"Tributes to India's former prime minister, Mrs Indira Gandhi Ji on her birth anniversary," Modi tweeted.
Former president Pranab Mukherjee, former vice president Hamid Ansari and former prime minister Manmohan Singh, along with UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, paid floral tributes to her at Shakti Sthal in the national capital.
Rahul Gandhi tweeted a picture of Indira Gandhi and quoted her, saying, "Forgiveness is a virtue of the brave. Indira Gandhi".
Rich tributes were paid to the former prime minister at a function in the central hall of Parliament, where leaders cutting across party lines were present.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Manmohan Singh, former deputy prime minister L K Advani, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel and other Parliamentarians were present at the function.
A booklet containing her profile was presented to the dignitaries who attended the function. It was brought out in Hindi and English by the Lok Sabha Secretariat.
Sonia Gandhi also released a book on her and her love for environment at the Indira Gandhi memorial. A large number of people paid tributes to the former prime minister at her residence and office, where she was gunned down by her bodyguards 34 years ago.
Later in the evening, Manmohan Singh was awarded the Indira Gandhi prize for peace, disarmament and development at a function at the Jawahar Bhawan. She was remembered fondly by many dignitaries on the occasion.
Congress leader from Rajasthan and former state chief minister Ashok Gehlot said the contribution of Indira Gandhi towards nation-building was "immense".
"Paying tributes and homage to former PM Smt Indira Gandhi ji on her birth anniversary. Her contribution towards nation-building was immense. Her great love for the country and dedication towards the welfare of people would always be an inspiration," Gehlot tweeted.
Paying her respects to the former prime minister, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the nation should work together to keep the diversity of the country intact.
"Homage to Indira Gandhi Ji, former prime minister of India, on her birth anniversary. National Integration Week begins today. As she did so wholeheartedly, let's work together to keep the spirit of 'unity in diversity' alive," she tweeted.
Congress leader Ashok Chavan also tweeted his homage to the former prime minister. Senior Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala quoted Indira Gandhi, saying her contribution towards building the country cannot be forgotten.
"I cannot understand how anyone can be an Indian and not be proud. My humble homage to Smt. Indira Gandhi who lived and died in the service of the nation. Her immense contribution in nation building and preserving the unity & integrity of the nation shall always be remembered," he tweeted.
Indira Gandhi, often described as the 'Iron Lady of India', was born on November 19, 1917 in Uttar Pradesh's Allahabad.
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Cong high command, CM to decide on K'taka Cabinet reshuffle: Minister Parameshwara
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Friday said any decision regarding the cabinet reshuffle rests solely with the Congress high command and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
His remarks come as several party legislators step up their demands for a ministerial role.
Defending the MLAs' right to express their desires, the minister said, "It is natural to have aspirations and there is nothing wrong in seeking a minister post. What is wrong in them (MLAs) asking for an opportunity? Whether to give or not is upto the high command to decide... it is the Chief Minister's discretion..."
Speaking to reporters here, Parameshwara said the high command will look into these things and decide what needs to be done.
A group of senior Congress legislators, who have served as MLAs for over three terms, called on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday, urging him to rejig the cabinet and give them an opportunity to serve as Ministers.
The group of about 40 legislators has planned to travel to New Delhi on April 11 after the by-polls, to meet the Congress high command and discuss the induction of at least 20 of them during the reshuffle.
Some first and second-time legislators have also recently pressed for a cabinet reshuffle.
Amid the ongoing power tussle within the ruling Congress with speculations about CM change that has intensified after the government completed half way mark in November, a section of Congress MLAs has been pushing for a cabinet rejig for some time, with several aspirants openly expressing their wish to be inducted.
Karnataka has a sanctioned strength of 34 ministers, including the chief minister. Two cabinet berths are currently vacant — following the resignation of B Nagendra over allegations of embezzlement at the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki ST Development Corporation, and the sacking of K N Rajanna from the cabinet on the instructions of the party high command.
Asked whether the Congress faced difficulty in finalising candidates for the April 9 by-polls to Bagalkot and Davangere South Assembly segments, Parameshwara said there was no difficulty, and that the party is evaluating candidates in both constituencies, based on winnability as a criterion.
"The Davangere seat was earlier represented by Shamanur Shivashankarappa, so naturally there is demand for the ticket for his family, also as the minority community population is higher in that segment they too are asking for the ticket. Ultimately, the party will decide. In Bagalkote too, there is a demand that tickets be given to the late MLA Meti's son; there are also other aspirants there seeking tickets. The party will decide," he said.
Based on reports from the local workers about winnability, the party will decide on the candidates, he added.
Bypolls for the Bagalkote and Davanagere South assembly constituencies have been necessitated following the deaths of sitting Congress MLAs H Y Meti and Shamanur Shivashankarappa, respectively.
To a question regarding AICC General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala's visit to the state, the Home Minister said he is most likely here for discussions regarding the by-polls, and there may also be other matters.
"AICC General Secretary may have come with certain mandates."
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