Sonia Gandhi Calls Off Her Birthday Celebrations Over CDS Bipin Rawat’s Death

New Delhi: Congress president Sonia Gandhi has decided not to celebrate her birthday on Thursday in view of the death of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 others in a helicopter crash near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday.

Sonia Gandhi will turn 75 on Thursday.

AICC general secretary KC Venugopal announced the party chief’s decision on Twitter and urged party workers to avoid any celebrations.

“Hon’ble Congress President has decided not to celebrate her birthday, tomorrow December 9. Urging party workers and supporters to strictly avoid any celebrations,” Venugopal said. Congress chief whip in Lok Sabha Manickam Tagore tweeted, “Another example from Congress president about her sensitivity. In respect of CDS Bipin Rawat, Congress party decided to cancel celebrations.”