PM, Governor, leaders greet Pinarayi on 80th birthday
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, State Ministers and political leaders extended birthday wishes to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan who turned 80 on Saturday.
According to party sources, there was no formal celebration as the veteran was engaged in his official duties.
Mr. Vijayan's birthday came a day after the fourth anniversary of his second term as Chief Minister. Mr. Vijayan, a member of the CPI(M) Polit Bureau, has been serving as Chief Minister since May 25, 2016.
People from various walks of life including political figures took to social media to wish Mr. Vijayan. The Prime Minister took to 'X' to wish him a long and healthy life. 'Birthday greetings to Kerala CM Shri Pinarayi Vijayan Ji. May he be blessed with a long and healthy life,' he said.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari extended his greetings on his social media handle too. 'Extending my heartfelt birthday wishes to the Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri @pinarayivijayan. May this occasion bring joy and the year ahead be filled with health and prosperity,' he said.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin posted a special birthday greeting to his Kerala counterpart in Malayalam and said his dedication to the progressive governance and their collective commitment to federalism and secularism strengthens the relationship between the two States. 'Let our two States stand together celebrating our cultural ties and common interests,' he said in the post wishing Mr. Vijayan a long life filled with health and happiness.
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar visited the Left veteran and the family at the Chief Minister's official residence here and conveyed his greetings. The Governor wished him many more years of fruitful service to the people, he said in a 'X' post.
In the photos posted by Mr. Arlekar on his social media handle, it could be seen that Mr. Vijayan's wife, daughter and son-law (Public Works Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas) were present during the occasion.
Besides Cabinet colleagues including P. Rajeeve and V. Sivankutty, actors Mohanlal and Mammootty also conveyed greetings to Mr. Vijayan on their social media handles.
In his Facebook page, Mr. Riyas described Mr. Vijayan as a symbol of truth, virtue and determination.
The senior Marxist leader had said that his birthday was on March 21, 1944 as per official records but his correct birth date was May 24, 1945.
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