• By Mayukh Debnath
  • Sun, 17 Sep 2023 01:37 PM (IST)
  • Source:ANI
Add as a preferred

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was born on September 17, 1950, turned 73 on Sunday. As someone who has been in power for the past 22 years - 13 years as the CM of Gujarat and now over nine years as Prime Minister of the country - he has amassed countless political adversaries. However, as the old adage goes, "This is quite a game, politics. There are no permanent enemies, and no permanent friends".

(People celebrate Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi's 73rd birthday on its eve, in his parliamentary constituency of Varanasi on Saturday. Pic sourced from ANI)

Therefore, let's take a look at the messages Opposition leaders had for PM Modi on his 73rd birthday:

Sending his best wishes, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi wrote on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), "Wishing PM Narendra Modi a happy birthday." The simple greeting from the Congress scion to his public arch-enemy is probably among the most sincere birthday wishes PM Modi will be receiving from his political opponents this year.

On the occasion of PM Modi's birthday, Congress Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Tiwari said, "He may celebrate this birthday as the Prime Minister, I wish him health and happiness...But next birthday, he will celebrate as former Prime Minister."

Extending his greeting to PM Modi, National Conference (NC) President and former Jammu and Kashmir CM Farooq Abdullah said, "I want to extend my best wishes and I pray for his (PM Modi) long life."

ALSO READ: Anantnag Encounter: Gunfight Between Security Forces, Terrorists Continues For Fifth Day In J-K's Kokernag | Top Updates

However, he did not hesitate from taking a dig at PM Modi's government over what the Opposition says was the muzzling of their voice in the Parliament during the Monsoon Session. "We were eagerly waiting to enter this new House (The New Parliament building), we will sit in this House on 18th or 19th September. I hope everyone gets the opportunity to speak here," Abdullah stated.

Meanwhile, Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury did not let partisanship affect his birthday wishes for PM Modi. "My greetings to him. He is the Prime Minister of the country. On his birthday, my well wishes for him," Chowdhury stated.

Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut prayed for the Prime Minister's long life, while praising his leadership in times of peril. "I wish him good health and long life...He has led the nation in difficult times."

Raut also listed the prevailing challenges facing the country, saying that he prays to God to grant enough strength to PM Modi to 'face such situations'. "Today there are several issues in front of the country such as Manipur, Kashmir, inflation and unemployment...He will continue to face such situations in the coming year...I pray to God to give him strength to deal with these issues as long as he is in power." Notably, the undivided Shiv Sena was a part of the 'Modi 1.0' government that led the country from 2014 to 2019.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and NCP supremo Sharad Pawar also wished the prime minister and prayed for good health and long life.

 

(With inputs from ANI)

Also In News