New Delhi [India], July 15 : Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday paid homage to freedom fighter and Congress leader K Kamraj on his birth anniversary, calling him a "true people's leader and tireless champion"
In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi said, "Remembering Bharat Ratna and former AICC President Thiru K. Kamaraj on his birth anniversary. A true people's leader and tireless champion of the marginalised, whose integrity, humility, and service continue to inspire generations."
Earlier in the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid homage to K Kamraj on his birth anniversary and said that his noble ideals and emphasis on social justice inspire us all greatly.
Taking to X, PM Modi said, "Paying homage to Thiru K. Kamaraj Ji on his birth anniversary. He was at the forefront of India's freedom struggle and provided invaluable leadership in the formative years of our journey after Independence. His noble ideals and emphasis on social justice inspire us all greatly."
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also paid tribute to K Kamraj, calling him "a true son of India."
"Today, we pay our sincere homage to K. Kamarajar, a true son of India, revered by the people of Tamil Nadu for his pioneering social welfare initiatives," Kharge wrote on X.
Kamaraj was elected to the Madras Legislative Assembly in 1937, unopposed. He was again elected to it in 1946. He was also elected to the Constituent Assembly of India in 1946 and later to Parliament in 1952.
He became the Chief Minister of Madras in 1954. In 1963, he suggested to Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, that senior Congress leaders should leave ministerial posts to take up organisational work. This suggestion came to be known as the 'Kamaraj Plan'.
He was honoured posthumously with India's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, in 1976.