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
