Meeting directly, Modi, Rahul barely exchange glance

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi came face-to-face on Tuesday at a function in Parliament to offer tributes to India's first Home Minister Sardar Patel on his 142nd birth anniversary.

Modi and Gandhi who have been trading barbs in recent days on the campaign trail for the forthcoming Gujarat and Himachal polls- barely exchanged a glance at the brief function in the Central Hall of Parliament.

Later, Gandhi, tipped to take over as Congress President next month, was seen having tete-e-tete with BJP veteran L K Advani while Modi was seen chatting with his ministerial colleagues Rajnath Singh and Arun Jaitley.

Congress has been accusing the BJP of usurping the legacy of its leaders as the saffron party lacked heroes who participated in the freedom struggle.

Congress leaders turned out in large numbers at the Shakti Sthal to pay homage to late prime minister Indira Gandhi on her 33rd death anniversary.

"Tributes to former PM Mrs Indira Gandhi on her death anniversary," Modi tweeted.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi, who is recuperating from a stomach illness, stayed away from the functions organised to remember Indira Gandhi.

Former president Pranab Mukherjee, former prime minister Manmohan Singh and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi also paid tributes to Indira Gandhi at Shakti Sthal in New Delhi.

"Remembering PM Smt. Indira Gandhi today. A strong leader and a visionary who served the nation till her last breath," Mukherjee said.