Congress president Sonia Gandhi asked party workers not to celebrate her birthday on Thursday after the death of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat in a helicopter crash. Reports said preparations were on at party headquarters to celebrate the birthday, but all activities were stopped after Gandhi’s appeal.
The Congress chief will turn 75 on Thursday.
"Hon'ble Congress President has decided not to celebrate her birthday, tomorrow December 9. Urging party workers and supporters to strictly avoid any celebrations," AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal said in a tweet.
General Rawat, his wife Madhulika and 11 Armed Forces personnel were killed in a helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu. Rawat was travelling to the Defence Staff College in Wellington from the Indian Air Force base in Sulur near Coimbatore when the Mi-17V5 helicopter of the Indian Air Force crashed near Coonoor around noon.
"The nation is shocked & saddened by the passing away of Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat. Our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. We stand with the nation at this time of grief. May he rest in peace," the Congress said in it official Twitter handle.
"We offer our heartfelt condolences on the demise of Madhulika Rawat, the wife of the CDS Gen. Bipin Rawat, and other personnel of the Armed Forces onboard the helicopter. We share the grief of the bereaved families. May they all rest in peace," the party said in another tweet.
