Patna, Mar 26 (IANS): A temple for the late Rajiv Gandhi, who was the Indian prime minister from 1984 to 1989, is being built in Bihar's Buxar district, a Congress leader said on Saturday.

The construction of the temple for the scion of the Nehru-Gandhi family started early this month, said Mirtunjay Rai, a Congress leader who, along with other Congressmen, is behind the project.

"The foundation stone was laid and construction work began for the temple at Kathrai village under Rajpur block in Buxar," he said.

The site is about 125 km from here.

A lifesize statue of Rajiv Gandhi will be installed in the temple, said Rai.

"It is a small gesture for Rajiv Gandhi, a Congress leader who worked hard to develop India," he added.

Rajiv Gandhi became India's youngest prime minister in 1984 after the incumbent prime minister and his mother Indira Gandhi was assassinated.

He was himself assassinated on May 21, 1991, while campaigning in Tamil Nadu for the general elections.