PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Vadra Pay Tributes To Rajiv Gandhi On Death Anniversary

In one of the worst terrorist attacks ever seen in the country former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated on this day in 1991, in the most dastardly manner by a suicide bomber of the (Liberation of Tamil Tigers Eelam) LTTE, during an election campaign in Sriperumbudur of Tamil Nadu. The former prime minister was campaigning in the southern state when he was killed by Dhanu, an LTTE suicide bomber.

Rajiv Gandhi's death anniversary is also observed as Anti-terrorism Day in India and is marked by a pledge to spread peace and harmony. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in paying tribute to the former Prime Minister. In his tweet, PM Modi said on his 29th death anniversary, "tributes to former PM Shri Rajiv Gandhi."

Rajiv Gandhi became the Prime Minister of India following his mother's assassination in 1984. At the age of 40, the sixth Prime Minister of India was the youngest ever.

As Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi was known for his focus on technology and his thrust on the use of computers in the early years of the computer age.

Rajiv Gandhi was a reluctant entrant into politics. He was content to be a professional pilot with the Indian Airlines, owned by the Central government. It was only after the death of his brother Sanjay Gandhi in a glider plane crash in 1980 that Rajiv Gandhi entered politics. In 1981 he contested from Amethi in Uttar Pradesh for the Lok Sabha successfully and also became the general secretary of the Congress party.

Rajiv Gandhi became the sixth Prime Minister of India after his mother's tragic assassination in 1984. In the elections which were conducted following the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the Congress party won the largest mandate ever wresting for one month seats out of 542 in the Lok Sabha.

The LTTE resented Rajiv Gandhi's decision to send peacekeeping troops to Sri Lanka in 1987. The Tamil terrorist organisation of Sri Lanka planned and carried out Rajiv Gandhi's assassination while he was campaigning for elections in Sriperumbudur of Tamil Nadu. In 1991 Rajiv Gandhi was awarded the Bharat Ratna.

Rahul Gandhi also posted a tweet in memory of his father. The Congress leader and Wayanad MP described Rajiv Gandhi as "a wonderful father; gentle, kind, compassionate and patient. I miss him. But he will stay alive in my heart and the wonderful memories I have of him."

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also posted the last picture of hers with her father in a tweet. She wrote that to nurture a strong heart and fill it with love no matter how great its sorrows; these are the gifts of my father's life."