Article & Journal Resources

New Delhi (PTI): Celebrations were at their peak as jubilant Congress workers left no stone unturned to mark the 62nd birthday of their leader and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Sunday. With huge hoardings adorning the whole road in front of her 10 Janpath house, the life-size images of Sonia Gandhi were to be seen everywhere tagged with lengthy birthday wishes with expressions like "mother" used for the UPA Chairperson.

The beats of drums and chorus of slogans had begun early in the morning outside Gandhi's residence as supporters and party workers gathered carrying huge bouquets of flowers. Occasionally shouting the names of Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi between their "salutations" to the "supreme leader", the separate groups of supporters could also be seen competing with each other for slogan-shouting, even as they desperately waited for their turn to meet the UPA Chairperson.

"I have come from a remote village in Andhra to greet madam. She is the country's greatest leader and we all wish her a very long life", said a party worker. However, when he was asked about Gandhi's age, he expressed ignorance.

Later, the assembly further grew when hundreds of party workers from Karnataka, brought in by almost a dozen buses, joined the supporters already present outside 10, Janpath.

Wearing T-shirts with "Sonia-imprint", the supporters sang and clapped with professional artists performing traditional dances during the procession. Massive tableaux also attracted the attention of the people.

Their efforts did bore fruit as Sonia eventually came out around mid-noon and waved at cheering supporters. She also acknowledged the mediamen and flashed a "V" (victory), exuding confidence ahead of upcoming state assembly polls.