By Gopal Ethiraj from Chennai
Chennai, 22 May (Asiantribune.com): The nation paid rich tributes to the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 18th death anniversary on Thursday.
In New Delhi, President Pratibha Patil, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the departed leader’s widow and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi were among first to pay floral tributes to the late leader at “Veer Bhumi”, the memorial of Rajiv Gandhi, which was decorated with hundreds of flowers.
I
The children of Rajiv Gandhi, Rahul, MP and AICC general secretary and Priyanka along with her husband Robert Vadhra were present at the remembrance ceremony at the memorial. Leaders of all political parties were also present.
A prayer meeting was organized at the memorial. The day is also being observed as “Anti-terrorism Day”. Seminars and discussions, besides “anti-terrorism” pledge administering at all governments offices, marked the day.
In Chennai, government servants took pledge against terrorism, at a meeting at the Secretariat, Fort St. George, presided by State Finance Minister K. Anbazhagan, well attended by ministers and officials.
At Sriperumbudur, Congress leaders lead by TNCC president K.V. Thangkabalu paid their floral respects and undertook the “anti-terrorism” pledge.
Priyanka cancels Chennai visit
Priyanka Vadhra was expected to pay homage to her father ‘s memorial at Sriperumbudur, on Thursday morning, merely two days after the reported death of the Tiger chief, who ordered her father’s assassination at the same place in 1991. She called off her visit to Chennai for reasons unknown.
Some attributed the cancellation to the prevailing situation in Tamil Nadu, particularly sporadic incidents witnessed after private news channels Tuesday beamed images of Prabhakaran that undoubtedly disturbed public sentiment.
Intelligence officials were stated to have advised against Ms Vadhra’s visit owing to a strong pro-Tamil undercurrent prevalent for the past few months in Tamil Nadu.
However, political circles in TN feel otherwise. It was only the fear of Congress antagonizing the already ‘worried’ Tamil community that Ms Vadhra called off her visit.
It may be worthwhile to note that Ms Vadhra caused a political storm by visiting Nalini, one of the convicts in the Rajiv murder case serving a life term in Vellore central prison, in early 2008.
Nemesis posters appear
There were posters in several part of the city brought out for the occasion by some enthusiastic party workers, which read: “Arasan. andru kollum; Deivam nindru kollum” (King will kill then and there; God slowly) and “Thanks, Thanks to God for killing Tiger before your Memorial Day."
- Asian Tribune -
Comments
Post new comment