New Delhi, Dec 9 (PTI) Birthday wishes poured in for Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi as she turned 79 on Tuesday, with the Congress saying her visionary leadership did not just guide the party but transformed India through landmark rights-based laws such as MGNREGA and the National Food Security Act.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished the former Congress chief good health.
"Birthday greetings to Sonia Gandhi Ji. May she be blessed with a long life and good health," Modi said in a post on X.
As several leaders wished Gandhi on her birthday, she cut a cake at the Congress Parliamentary Party office and shared with fellow MPs.
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav along with his wife Dimple Yadav, and other MPs of the Congress and SP were present during the cake-cutting celebration.
In Parliament, when asked to give any message to the country, Sonia Gandhi said, "Vande Mataram and Jai Hind".
Kharge also met her at her residence in the morning and wished her.
Sharing a picture of his meeting on X, Kharge extended warm birthday greetings and said, "A steadfast champion of the rights of the marginalised, she has remained a symbol of grace, meeting every challenge with courage, resilience, sacrifice and selfless dedication. I wish her a long and healthy life."
The Congress posted on X Sonia Gandhi's quote, "Together we can face any challenge as deep as the ocean and as high as the sky." It said her words perfectly capture the strength, dignity and grace she embodies in public and private life alike.
She lives with unwavering integrity, compassion and courage, the party said.
"Her visionary leadership didn't just guide the Congress, it transformed India through landmark rights-based laws: MGNREGA, Right to Education, Right to Information, and the National Food Security Act. These gave millions jobs, hope, education, voice, and dignity," the Congress said.
Her lifelong commitment to women's empowerment, social justice and inclusive growth continues to uplift millions all across the country, it said.
The Congress said Sonia Gandhi's grit and dedication inspire the party every day.
"With deepest respect, admiration, and love, we wish Sonia Gandhi ji a very happy birthday, good health, and endless joy," it said.
Several Congress leaders hailed her leadership.
SP chief Yadav later shared a picture of the birthday celebrations and said, "Heartfelt birthday greetings to Mrs. Sonia Gandhi ji, along with infinite best wishes for a healthy and active life! Let us come together and spread smiles!".
AICC general secretary K C Venugopal described Sonia Gandhi as the Congress' "lodestar" who continues to be a fierce voice speaking boldly with clarity on issues of national importance.
"Through the last 3 decades, her role in public life has been inspirational. As UPA Chairperson during PM Manmohan Singh ji's tenure, she played a pivotal role in driving a welfare agenda that expanded India's social security net and led to over 23 crore Indians escaping poverty within a decade," Venugopal said in a post on X.
He said Sonia Gandhi's vision was for India to have a strong rights-based governance framework which compelled the state to deliver welfare to the last mile, as he credited her with steering the party through turbulent periods of Indian politics.
"Her ideological conviction combined with her deft organisational management made her an extremely effective President in this dynamic period," he added.
In a post on X, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin said, "Birthday greetings to Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Tmt. Sonia Gandhi. Her life reflects sacrifice, a selfless public journey, and a steady resolve to uphold secularism and constitutional values."
"May her principled path and guidance continue to strengthen our collective efforts for a progressive and inclusive #INDIA," he said.
BSP supremo also wished Sonia Gandhi on her 79th birthday and sent her best wishes for her good health and long life.
NCP-SP leader Supriya Sule greeted Sonia Gandhi on X and said "Have a Healthy Year Ahead!".
DMK leader Kanimozhi described her as a stalwart who has stood firm to defend and protect "democratic ideals of our nation, and led with dignity, courage, and empathy through testing times".
"She continues to be a strong pillar of support for all democratic forces in India," she said.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray said on X, "May she be blessed with good health and happiness, always."
Sonia Gandhi, the longest serving Congress president, has taken a back seat from active politics in the last few years due to health reasons, with her son Rahul Gandhi and daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra playing a key role in the party.
Besides being the chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party, she is a member of the Rajya Sabha.