New Delhi: Former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi’s political life was very short but “hugely impactful” and he left behind numerous legacies, including the 1991 manifesto which promised liberalization, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said on Tuesday.
“These include the right of 18-year-olds to vote; Constitutional empowerment of panchayats and nagarpalikas, including reservations for women in elections to them; peace in Assam, Mizoram, Tripura and Punjab; India’s entry into the IT, computer and telecom era as a major power; the use of science & technology to address societal concerns and challenges; strengthening of India’s space and nuclear programs. And much more,” he said.
One legacy, however, that is often overlooked is the Congress’ 1991 manifesto that was released by him on April 15, 1991 and on which he had spent long hours personally over a period of ten days, Ramesh said.
Rahul Gandhi posted a tweet in remembrance of his father. “Papa, your dreams, my dreams, your aspirations, my responsibilities. Your memories, today and always, forever in my heart”, he wrote with a picture.
“His political life was very short but hugely impactful. He left behind numerous legacies that we take for granted now,” he said.
Rajiv Gandhi took over the charge of the Congress in 1984 following the assassination of his mother and then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He became India’s youngest Prime Minister at the age of 40 when he assumed office in October 1984.
He served as the Prime Minister of India till December 2, 1989. Born on August 20, in 1944, Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suicide bomber during an election rally in Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu on May 21, 1991.
Join our whatsapp group for Latest updates