Congress President Sonia Gandhi was on Sunday greeted by a host of dignitaries, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, on her 61st birthday.
Singh visited Gandhi's residence at 10 Janpath at 9.30 am and stayed there for about ten minutes.
President Pratibha Patil also sent a bouquet to Gandhi on the occasion. Among the prominent Congress leaders who visited Gandhi's residence were Pranab Mukherjee, Arjun Singh, Shivraj Patil, Mani Shankar Iyer, Saifuddin Soz, Suresh Kalmadi, Rajashekhar Reddy, Girija Vyas and Motilal Vora.
The atmosphere was euphoric outside Gandhi's residence as hundreds of Congress workers from different states were seen beating drums and dancing. Many supporters came in processions with big bouquets. Big posters and tableaux were also seen outside the residence.
Party leader Rajiv Shukla said Congress' victory in Gujarat election would be the best gift for Gandhi. "Victory in Guajarat elections will the perfect gift for her birthday," he told reporters.
The supporters had started gathering outside 10 Janpath since morning. However, they were not allowed to go inside to meet Gandhi, leading to resentment among them.
Security was tight outside Gandhi's residence and media was not allowed to go inside also. In Puducherry, a group of Congress workers dragged a golden chariot along the premises of Sri Manakula Vinayakar temple here to seek divine blessings for the Congress president.
{{/usCountry}}Security was tight outside Gandhi's residence and media was not allowed to go inside also. In Puducherry, a group of Congress workers dragged a golden chariot along the premises of Sri Manakula Vinayakar temple here to seek divine blessings for the Congress president.
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