New Delhi, May 21 (IANS): On the 29th Death anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, the Congress party on Thursday pledged not to give advertisement but instead give the amount to help labourers and daily-wage workers amidst nationwide lockdown.

Gandhi was assassinated on this day in 1991 during a late-night election rally in Sriperumbudur village of Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu ahead of the Lok Sabha polls when a suicide bomber struck.

He was the youngest Prime Minister, who took oath at the age of 40, following the assassination of mother and another former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Remembering him on the day, the Congress issued a statement which read, "Due to the incumbent coronavirus pandemic, Congress has decided not to publish advertisements on the death anniversary and instead use that money to help labourers and daily wage workers."

The statement added, "Congress workers across the country have resolved to help those in need and focus all their efforts in this direction."

The remarks came in the backdrop of hardship being faced by the workers as the pandemic has completely choked their source of income.

Earlier on Thursday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter, and said, "I am proud to be the son of a true patriot, liberal and philanthropic father. As Prime Minister, Rajiv ji brought the country on the path of progress. He empowered the country through his visionary thinking. Today, on his death anniversary I remember him with affection, gratitude and reverence."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tribute to the former Prime Minister on his death anniversary.