Sharad Pawar celebrates 75th b'day - Political parties on Thursday

1/9

Political parties on Thursday took a momentary break from their bickering to fete NCP boss Sharad Pawar effusively on his 75th birthday.

In This Pic : Sharad Pawar, Pranab Mukherjee

Pic Courtesy : PTI

2/9

Politicians vied with one another to laud Pawar for his various accomplishments in a journey that saw him become Maharashtra chief minister at a very young age and, later, defy a life-threatening disease to stay relevant as a satrap; even as a factor who has often packed a punch disproportionate to his strength on the ground.

In This Pic : Sharad Pawar

Pic Courtesy : BCCL - Non Copyright

3/9

The celebrations at Vigyan Bhawan took on the dimension of a state ceremony as President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice-President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Speaker Sumitra Mahajan joined Congress president Sonia Gandhi and party vice president Rahul, CMs of Bihar, Punjab, Maharashtra and Rajasthan, ex-PM Manmohan Singh, bosses of SP and RJD Mulayam Singh Yadav and Lalu Prasad, CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury, Union ministers and MPs of all parties came together to applaud Pawar for his eventful political career.

In This Pic : Narendra Modi

Pic Courtesy : BCCL - Non Copyright

4/9

Vigyan Bhawan was packed to the rafters as MPs, to quote Praful Patel, of "all hues and shades" turned up for the felicitation of the leader known for his contacts across the spectrum. Patel, Pawar's long-time colleague, and the Maratha chieftain's daughter Supriya Sule played hosts.

In This Pic : Sonia Gandhi

Pic Courtesy : BCCL - Non Copyright

5/9

Political differences took the backseat when Rahul, asked to pose for a group photograph along with other leaders including Nitish Kumar, Parkash Singh Badal, Devendra Fadnavis and Vasundhara Raje on the dais, shook hands with Modi.

In This Pic : Rahukl Gandhi, Narendra Modi

Pic Courtesy : BCCL - Non Copyright