Homage to Rajiv Gandhi on death anniversary

New Delhi, May 21 (IANS) The nation Monday paid homage to former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, who was killed on this day 21 years ago in a suicide bomb attack by liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (lTTE) during an election rally at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu.

President Pratibha Patil, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi paid floral tributes at the late leader's memorial Vir Bhumi here.

Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi-Vadra also paid tributes at the memorial of their father. Priyanka's husband Robert Vadra also accompanied them.

Delhi lieutenant Governor Tejinder Khanna, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, Parliamentary Affairs Minister P.K. Bansal and Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath also paid homage to Rajiv Gandhi.

As Rajiv Gandhi's speeches were played, several children laid flowers at the memorial.