Pt Jawaharlal Nehru was India's longest prime minister. (File)

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia Gandhi paid tribute to India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on his 55th death anniversary this morning at his memorial, Shantivan, in Delhi. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and ex-President Pranab Mukherjee were among the party leaders who were also present at Shantivan to offer their tributes.

Remembering his great-grandfather, Rahul Gandhi said Pt Jawaharlal Nehru's contribution in "building strong, independent, modern institutions" helped "democracy survive in India for 70 years".

Many democratic nations as young as India, soon degenerated into dictatorships.



On his death anniversary, let us remember Jawaharlal Nehru Ji's contribution in building strong, independent, modern institutions, that have helped democracy survive in India for over 70 years ???????? — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 27, 2019

"Many democratic nations as young as India, soon degenerated into dictatorships. On his death anniversary, let us remember Jawaharlal Nehru Ji's contribution in building strong, independent, modern institutions, that have helped democracy survive in India for over 70 years," Mr Gandhi wrote on Twitter.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot was among other senior Congress leaders present at Shantivan this morning. He tweeted a picture that shows Congress leaders paying floral tributes at the memorial.

Paid floral tributes to the first Prime Minister of India Pt. #JawaharlalNehru ji at Shantivan in Delhi... #RememberingNehrupic.twitter.com/Aj6o2gQw7f — Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) May 27, 2019

Quoting Jawaharlal Nehru, born on November 14, 1889, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjerwala wrote: "The person who talks most of his own virtue is often the least virtuous" - Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru (sic)".

"The person who talks most of his own virtue is often the least virtuous" ~ Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru



My humble homage to the achitect of Modern India, the nurturer of Democracy, a strong pillar of National Movement and a visionary first Prime Minister, Pandit Nehru ???????????? pic.twitter.com/XZVfbFeVOY — Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) May 27, 2019

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also paid to Pt Jawaharlal Nehru, India's longest serving Prime Minister.

Homage to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, on his death anniversary — Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) May 27, 2019

Pt Jawaharlal Nehru, India's longest serving prime minister, was born to Motilal Nehru and Swaroop Rani on November 14, 1889, in Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh. He fought for India's freedom against the British rule and was jailed several times during the freedom struggle. He was elected as India's first Prime Minister after the country became independent on August 15, 1947. He served as the country's prime minister until his death on May 27, 1964.