New Delhi, May 21 (TOI): Paying homage to his father, Rajiv Gandhi, on his 27th death anniversary, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday said that the former Prime 

Minister taught him that "hate is a prison for those who carry it".

"My father taught me that hate is a prison for those who carry it. Today, on his death anniversary, I thank him for teaching me to love and respect all beings, the most valuable gifts a father can give a son. Rajiv Gandhi, those of us that love you hold you forever in our hearts," he said in a tweet.

Early in the morning, Sonia Gandhi, along with Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra paid floral tributes to the Congress leader at Vir Bhumi in the national capital.

Several other senior Congress leaders, including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Sushil Kumar Shinde, Mallikarjun Kharge, were also present at the memorial dedicated to the late leader.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee paid her respect via a tweet.

"Solemnly and very fondly remembering former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversary," she tweeted.

On May 21, 1991, Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated as a result of a suicide bombing in Sriperumbudur, near Chennai, in Tamil Nadu by members of LTTE, a terrorist organisation from Sri Lanka.