BJP marks PM's birthday with launch of 'Panch Kranti'

Jaitley slams alliance of convenience between Nitish, RJD & Congress

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today attacked Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and his ally and Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad for destroying Ram Manohar Lohia's legacy by aligning with the Congress for Bihar polls and failing to develop the state in the last 25 years when they were in power.

"Those who do politics in the name of Lohia, are now visiting AICC (All India Congress Committee) for press conferences every day. The legacy of Dr Lohia has been destroyed by these people....," he said, launching BJP's youth wing BJYM's nationwide "Panch Kranti Abhiyan" on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday.

Jaitley also said Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi was given the role of a "warm-up speaker" at a recent rally of the Grand Alliance and that the opposition party, which was stalling Parliament, will be further eased out in many states. The 'Panch Kranti' initiative of the party's youth wing will highlight the PM's initiatives like cleanliness, yoga, women's empowerment, Make in India and Skill India.

Apart from the launch of the 'Panch Kranti' initiative, BJP MP Vijay Goel organized a 'run for development' to mark the PM's birthday. Modi, however, didn't take part in any celebrations but did visit an exhibition to mark the 50 years of the 1965 India-Pakistan war at the India Gate lawns.

President Pranab Mukherjee and other political leaders, including Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, greeted PM who turned 65 today. "Best wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modiji on his birthday," Rahul tweeted. Starting the exchange of greetings between the two, the Prime Minister had on June 19 taken to twitter to greet Rahul on his birthday. "Wishing the Congress Vice President, Shri Rahul Gandhi a Happy Birthday. I pray for his good health & long life. @OfficeOfRG," the PM had said on Twitter as Rahul turned 45.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who had to face the party's wrath for praising Narendra Modi and was dropped from the list of spokespersons, also greeted the Prime Minister but underlined their disagreement in politics. "Happy Birthday @narendramodi . May you continue to serve India w/energy & commitment. Will continue to disagree w/ yr politics, but w/respect!," Tharoor said. To this, Modi responded: "Thank you Dr Tharoor. And, what is our democracy without constructive criticism! Debate makes us stronger."

"Greetings to Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi ji on his birthday. My prayers for his health and long life," Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted.

"Happy birthday @narendramodi ji. May God grant you a long life in the service of the nation. #HappyBdayPM," tweeted National Conference leader and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian PM Dmitry Medvedev also greeted the PM on his birthday.