New Delhi: Congress on May 21 paid rich tributes to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 12th death anniversary, lauding his invaluable contributions in different fields, particularly panchayati raj, Information Technology and women's empowerment.

Party leaders Arjun Singh, Natwar Singh, Ahmed Patel, Oscar Fernandes, Anil Shastri, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and a number of her colleagues and Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) president Subhash Chopra were among those who offered floral tributes to the portrait of the leader at a function.

Political secretary to Congress president Ahmad Patel said, "Upholding of country's secularism through firm steps against communalism and terrorism, uncompromising stand on the integrity and sovereignty was Gandhi's greatest contribution."

Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Natwar Singh recounted the young leader's "forceful articulation" of India's views at the Commonwealth, Non Aligned Movement (NAM) and other world forums and his role in moulding India's foreign policy.

Describing Rajiv Gandhi's death as a "void which can never be filled", Fernandes said, "He was a leader with a vision, one who inspired today's youth towards nation building and who took steps to make India an emerging economic power, militarily strong and self-reliant."

Senior party leader Arjun Singh urged partymen "to rise above petty groupism keeping aside self- interest" and work unitedly to fulfil Rajiv's dreams.

Anil Shastri, All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretary, remembered Gandhi's introduction of decentralisation through panchayati raj, his role in utilising Information Technology for public welfare and measures taken for empowerment of women.

PTI