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Today, on the 17th death anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, India’s top political leaders gathered to pay homage to the late Prime Minister amid uninterrupted drizzle in the capital city, Delhi. President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi pays their tribute to Rajiv Gandhi.

The departed leader’s widow and Congress President Sonia Gandhi, along with her son Rahul and daughter Priyanka Vadra, reached his memorial ‘Vir Bhumi’ to pay their tributes.

A prayer meeting was organized in the premises of the memorial ended with the play of a speech, given in 1985 by the late Rajiv Gandhi who was assassinated on May 21, 1991, during a public meeting at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu. Seventeen other people were also killed in that explosion and 44 injured.

The day is also being observed as anti-terrorism day with seminars and discussions organised. A pledge would be later administered to people to fight against the scourge of terrorism and for maintaining peace.

Vice-President Hamid Ansari, Home Minister Shivraj Patil, Defence Minister A K Antony and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit also paid floral tributes to the former prime minister.

Youth Congress workers present on the occasion raised slogans in memory of the former Prime Minister.

Minster for Social Justice and Empowerment Meira Kumar, Tourism Minister Ambika Soni, Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal and senior Congress leader Motilal Vora were among others who paid tributes to their beloved leader.

Tags: Delhi, Gandhi, Manmohan Singh, Pratibha Patil, Priyanka Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi

After an emotional meeting with Priyanka Gandhi, Nalini Sriharan the only survival of the assassins of Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi said that she feels that all her sins have been washed away after meeting Priyanka.

Nalini is the only survival of the squad who killed Rajiv Gandhi. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra met Nalini in Vellore jail on March 19 to ask why her father was killed.

Nalini said that she felt very happy to meet Priyanka and the meeting has increased the respect for the Gandhi family.

Fascinated by Priyanka’s gesture Nalini made these comments to her brother PS Bhagyanathan, a few days after Priyanka met her on March 19.

P S Bhagyanathan was also convicted for the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi but was declared innocent by the court later. He used to visit Vellore jail often to meet Nalini. Bhagyanathan on his part has confirmed the emotional turmoil his sister is going through. He said that Nalini was touched by Priyanka’s gesture.

Bhagyanathan however revealed that it was a surprise visit and they had no idea about it till the time it actually happened. As it is totally private and confidential nothing much was revealed but he disclosed that Nalini remained sad and depressed before meeting Priyanka but now she is happy and glad.

Tags: Gandhi, Nalini, Priyanka, Priyanka Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi

Priyanka Gandhi has confirmed that she met with her father Rajiv Gandi’s assassin Nalini in Vellore jail on March 19. Nalini is the only survival member of the assassination squad that killed the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on May 21, 1991.

Priyanka said that it was a personal visit initiated only by her. She said, “I met Nalini to make peace with the violence in my life”.

Nalini’s mother too confirmed the meeting between Nalini and Priyanka which has been described as ‘very cordial’ and lasted for about an hour.

Priyanka said, “I refuse to let anger and violence overpower me.”

She said that she only wanted to know why her father was made the target of the fatal suicide bombing that killed him at Sriperambudur on May 21 1991.

Getting very emotional while the meeting Priyanka made Nalini to sit next to her and asked why her father was killed? Nalini said that she knew nothing till the last moment, even though she was present at the assassination spot.

Nalini’s two lawyers S Duraisamy and Elangovan, who confirmed the meeting, said that it was not a spur of the moment decision, the ground for the meet was laid much before.

Nalini believes that the visit may have been prompted by the frequent letters that she sends to the Gandhi family. In a personal note to the conversation they talked about their personal families. Priyanka inquired about Nalini’s daughter and other family members, while telling her about her own.

Nalini found Priyanka to be “very simple and loveable”.

Rahul Gandhi has seconded his siter’s hand saying, “We do not want hatred and violence that’s why Priyanka met Nalini.”

He however denied meeting Nalini stating that his viewpoint was different on this matter but has no objection with Priyanka meeting with Nalini.

Tags: Gandhi, Nalini, Priyanka, Priyanka Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi

Senior Congress leader Arjun Singh said on Monday that Rahul Gandhi, the general secretary of Congress, is the right choice for the Prime Ministerial candidate in the upcoming Lok Sabha election in 2009.

He said that he has all the qualities of his father, late Sh. Rajiv Gandhi and there seems nothing wrong to name him for the post.

“Why not,” he shot back in an interview to agencies when asked whether a young leader should be projected for the top job as like it happened in 1984 when Rajiv Gandhi took over as the youngest Prime Minister after the assassination of Indira Gandhi.

“He (Rahul) has all the qualities of his father. He is making sincere efforts in acquiring the information and knowledge that is required”, the HRD minister said when specifically asked about the MP from Amethi, who is being depicted as the youth icon by the party.

On whether Congress should fight the next elections in a coalition or should fight it on its own to regain its lost ground, he avoided a direct answer. “This question you should put to others. I am not competent enough to answer that,” he said.

Singh, who had played a proactive role on the OBC reservation issue, said that UPA coordination committee would meet soon after the reconvening of parliament session on April 15 to sort out differences among allies on the creamy layer issue.

The HRD minister said a communication would be sent to the institutions, including IIMs, this week on the admission process.

On the burning subject of inflation, he said that government is making efforts to check the price hike but it will take some time to bring the effect of the efforts. He admitted that the issue will definitely impact on upcoming elections.

The price rise would be a thing of the past by the time the country goes to polls, Singh said.

Tags: Arjun Singh, Gandhi, India, PM, Rahul Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi