New Delhi: Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday turned 64 as leaders thronged her residence to greet her amidst drumbeats and colourful processions taken out by party workers here.
Union Ministers A K Antony and P Chidambaram, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Chief Minister's of several Congress-ruled states besides AICC office bearers visited Gandhi to personally greet her on the occasion.
Greeting her, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi said in Chennai that the UPA has "set a role model" for coalition governments in Indian politics.
Celebrations were also held at the Central Office of the party at 24 Akbar Road. Party workers also organised a 'hawan' on the occasion.
Party workers from Delhi, who had visited Gandhi earlier in the morning, said they have been asked by the leadership to celebrate the Congress President's birthday in a simple manner.
As a large number of party workers from all over the country turned up outside her 10 Janpath residence, there was a massive traffic jam in the area. The main entrance of her residence, which faces Akbar Road, was blocked and visitors had to walk to greet her. There was a long queue of workers carrying bouquets.
Clad in colourful T-shirts bearing the message "Our pride is mother India, our guide is mother Sonia", a large number of party workers from Karnataka led by AICC member SS Prakasam visited Gandhi.
The party workers also carried posters of Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
A large number of Delhi Pradesh Women Congress workers with placards in their hands also gathered at Gandhi's residence to greet her.
Artistes from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu also staged cultural programmes outside her residence.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, December 09, 2009, 13:12