Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday paid tribute to former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversary, remembering the late Congress leader in a brief message shared on the social media platform X.
“Tributes to former Prime Minister Shri Rajiv Gandhi Ji on his death anniversary,” the Prime Minister wrote in his post.
Rajiv Gandhi, who served as India’s prime minister from 1984 to 1989, was assassinated on May 21, 1991, in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, while campaigning for the general elections. He was killed in a suicide bombing carried out by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), an incident that remains one of the most tragic moments in India’s political history.
Born on August 20, 1944, Rajiv Gandhi entered politics after the death of his younger brother Sanjay Gandhi. He later succeeded his mother, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, following her assassination in 1984. At 40, he became the youngest Prime Minister of India.
During his tenure, Rajiv Gandhi was known for promoting modernization and technological advancement, particularly in the fields of telecommunications and information technology.
His government also emphasized education reforms and strengthening Panchayati Raj institutions. However, his term was also overshadowed by controversies such as the Bofors scandal, which became a major political flashpoint in the late 1980s.
Political leaders from across party lines also paid homage to Rajiv Gandhi on the occasion, remembering his contributions to India’s development and democratic framework.