Congress president Rahul Gandhi turned 49 on Wednesday, 16 June, triggering celebrations by party workers.

Congress leaders, including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and scores of party activists turned up at the Congress headquarters in the heart of the capital to greet him on his birthday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, too, wished the Congress chief on the occasion.

“Best wishes to Rahul Gandhi on his birthday. May he be blessed with good health and a long life,” the PM tweeted.

Responding to the PM’s tweet, Gandhi wrote: “Thank you for your greetings Narendra Modiji. I appreciate them.”

Thank you for your greetings @narendramodi ji. I appreciate them 🙏 https://t.co/ZG9U3tdMTN

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 19, 2019

According to reports, Congress supporters were seen dancing to the beat of drums outside the Congress office on Akbar Road and outside 10 Janpath in New Delhi earlier today.

Rahul Gandhi was seen arriving at the party office with a packet of sweets, which he distributed among the media persons.

He was also greeted by his sister and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot at the party office.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeted: “Your indomitable courage in face of every adversity, your indelible commitment to principles in face of every onslaught, your simplicity and straight forwardness when being Machiavellian is often considered a virtue is what endears you and sets you apart. Happy Birthday Rahul Gandhi.”

Your indomitable courage in face of every adversity,

Your indelible commitment to principles in face of every onslaught,

Your simplicity & straightforwardness when being machiavellian is often considered a virtue is what endears u & sets u apart.

Happy Birthday @RahulGandhi. pic.twitter.com/uzEasjLtHl

— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) June 19, 2019

Gandhi’s birthday came less than a month after the Congress faced a humiliating defeat at the Lok Sabha elections 2019. Under his leadership, the Congress won only 52 Lok Sabha seats, forcing Rahul Gandhi to say that he wants to give up the party’s presidency.

He has been elected to the Lok Sabha from Wayanad in Kerala but was defeated in family bastion Amethi.

Rahul Gandhi was born on this day in 1970 to Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi.