Rahul Gandhi is the heartthrob of India: Sheila Dikshit

"He is the biggest heartthrob of the youth of India."

This is how Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit described Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi at a public function in Delhi today.

Dikshit, who addressed Rahul as 'Rajivji' at the beginning of her speech, heaped praises on the young leader after the inauguration of Guru Tegh Bahadur Memorial here on the Delhi-Haryana border.

"In 2004, our leader Sonia Gandhi laid the foundation stone for this memorial. I am proud that today her son and Hindustan ke naujawano ki sabse badi dhadkan (the biggest heartthrob of the youth of India) Rahul Gandhi is dedicating this memorial to the nation," she said to a thunderous applause from the audience.

While thanking Gandhi for accepting her invitation and inaugurating the memorial, Dikshit even asked the audience to keep applauding Gandhi.

The CM said she had long decided that if anyone would dedicate this to the nation, it will only be Gandhi. "We are thankful to you that you listened to our plea," she said.

Dikshit said Guru Tegh Bahadur's name is not associated only with Delhi, Punjab, Haryana or Sikh community but with the entire nation.

She also said Rahul's grandmother and former prime minister late Indira Gandhi had removed a 'kotwali' (police headquarters) from Delhi and dedicated this place to the Sikh leader. "Now after Sonia Gandhi laid its foundation stone, we are delighted that he (Rahul) is dedicating this (to the nation)."