The Tripura Pradesh Congress on Wednesday observed the 35th death anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi with various programmes across the state, in line with nationwide commemorations.
Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated in a suicide bomb attack at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu on May 21, 1991.
At the Pradesh Congress Bhavan in Agartala, senior Congress leader and MLA Gopal Chandra Roy hoisted the national flag, while employees’ leader Shanti Ranjan Debnath hoisted the party flag. Flags of various frontal organisations of the party were also unfurled during the programme.
Congress leaders and workers paid floral tributes to the marble statue of Rajiv Gandhi installed within the party office premises. A rally was later organised, which passed through several roads of the city before culminating at Gandhi Ghat, where party members paid homage at the martyrs’ memorial.
Addressing the gathering, MLA Gopal Chandra Roy criticised the BJP-led government, alleging that it had failed to fulfil its promises and had become anti-people. He said Rajiv Gandhi played a pioneering role in ushering India into the computer era despite opposition from several political parties at that time.
Roy further claimed that only the Congress could ensure the country’s development beyond barriers of religion and caste. During his speech, he also made sharp remarks against the BJP.
Rajiv Gandhi served as the sixth Prime Minister of India from 1984 to 1989.