'Rajiv Gandhi fulfilled dream of Mahatma Gandhi with Panchayati Raj system': Rahul Gandhi

Gandhi tweeted, "It was the dream of Mahatma Gandhi that the villages of the country should become strong. Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi made that dream come true by bringing the Panchayati Raj system."

New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday greeted the country on National Panchayati Raj Day. The Congress leader said Mahatma Gandhi dreamt that the villages of India become strong which came true with Panchayati Raj system by Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Gandhi tweeted, "It was the dream of Mahatma Gandhi that the villages of the country should become strong. Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi made that dream come true by bringing the Panchayati Raj system."

"Hearty greetings to all the heads of the country, Panchs and members of local bodies on the occasion of National Panchayati Raj Day," added Gandhi. 

The date - April 24, 1993 - is remembered for the decentralization of power to the grassroots, with the institutionalization of Panchayati Raj, through the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also greeted the people of India and said the Panchayats are the pillars of the Indian democracy which needs to be further strengthened.

The Prime Minister tweeted, "Wishing you all a very Happy National Panchayati Raj Day. Panchayats are the pillars of Indian democracy, in whose strength lies the prosperity of the new India. Let us pledge to further empower our panchayats in building a self-reliant India."