Sonia Gandhi turns 72, inundated with birthday wishes from across party lines

Former Congress president and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, who turned 72 on Sunday, has been inundated with birthday greetings from her party leaders and political rivals alike from early morning. Among the opposition leaders who met and extended best wishes to Sonia, include DMK president MK Stalin, M Kanimozhi and A Raja. Stalin and other senior DMK members also invited Sonia and her son Rahul Gandhi for the inauguration of M Karunanidhi's statue in Chennai on December 16.

Taking to Twitter the Congress chief shared a picture of Mr Stalin greeting his mother with a bouquet of peach roses. "Shri Stalin and senior members of the DMK, visited Sonia Ji in Delhi today, to wish her on her birthday. We had a warm and cordial meeting and discussed a range of issues. I look forward to continuing our dialogue and to strengthening our alliance, that has stood the test of time," Gandhi captioned the picture.

Shri Stalin & senior members of the DMK, visited Sonia Ji in Delhi today, to wish her on her birthday. We had a warm & cordial meeting & discussed a range of issues. I look forward to continuing our dialogue & to strengthening our alliance, that has stood the test of time. pic.twitter.com/Cdg0deyfQG

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 9, 2018

Other opposition leaders who joined the chorus were West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Bihar opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah and many others.

Mamata Banerjee:

My best wishes on your birthday Sonia Gandhi Ji. I pray for your long life and happiness in all you do

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 9, 2018

Tejashwi Yadav:

I extend my heartiest greetings to UPA Chairperson Hon'ble Smt.Sonia Gandhi Ji on her birthday. Your exemplary vision, sacrifices & leadership have always guided the nation. You are an inspiration for all. May God bless you long & healthy life ahead!#HappyBirthdaySoniaGandhi

— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) December 9, 2018

Omar Abdullah:

Here’s wishing Sonia Gandhi ji a very happy birthday, good health & a long life in the service of the nation. Many happy returns of the day ma’am.

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) December 9, 2018

Besides, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter this morning and wished Gandhi on her 72nd birth anniversary. "Best wishes to Smt. Sonia Gandhi Ji on her birthday. I pray for her long and healthy life," Modi wrote.

Best wishes to Smt. Sonia Gandhi Ji on her birthday. I pray for her long and healthy life.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 9, 2018

Congress workers get into the celebratory mood while observing Gandhi's birthday outside her central Delhi residence at 10 Janpath with much grandeur and zeal.

Check out other birthday wishes from top Congress leaders here:

Madam, You are the soul of the @INCIndia. INC workers draw strength and inspiration from the selfless and sacrificing institution that you are... I salute you and wish you score a century of Birthdays! You are the perfect role model in today’s politics. #HappyBirthdaySoniaGandhi pic.twitter.com/wR0fyBEFsv

— Navjot Singh Sidhu (@sherryontopp) December 9, 2018

My best wishes to Smt. Sonia Gandhi ji on her birthday. Your grace, dedication, dignity and indomitable spirit continue to inspire the country and many like me.

I pray for your long and healthy life. #HappyBirthdaySoniaGandhi pic.twitter.com/TfDWTQzdFa

— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) December 9, 2018

My best wishes to Smt. Sonia Gandhi ji on your birthday. Your dignified presence and dedicated service to the nation and @INCIndia continue to inspire us. I pray for your long and healthy life!#HappyBirthdaySoniaGandhi

— Jyotiraditya Scindia (@JM_Scindia) December 9, 2018

Wishing a very Happy Birthday to our Beloved Leader Smt. Sonia Gandhi. May God bless her with good health & long life.#HappyBirthdaySoniaGandhi pic.twitter.com/mh2TDmTadM

— DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) December 9, 2018

Stalin-Gandhi meeting in the national capital came a day before a crucial opposition meeting which is expected to discuss a grand alliance to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2019 Lok Sabha election.

Born in 1946 in Italy's Lusiana, Sonia Gandhi is an Indian politician of Italian descent. She is a member of the Nehru–Gandhi family by way of her marriage to Rajiv Gandhi, who was assassinated in 1991. She was the longest serving president of the Congress and headed the party for 19 years before Rahul Gandhi took over as the Congress president in December last year.