The Hindu : National : `U.P. Government not cooperating'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 05, 2006

National

National

`U.P. Government not cooperating'

Congress is an ideology, a principle and a culture, says Sonia Gandhi

Rae Bareli: "This is not an ordinary election," Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Thursday told the people of this Lok Sabha constituency from where she is seeking re-election following her resignation after being accused of holding an `office of profit.'

"It is a fight for principles," she said, explaining that her decision to quit and re-contest from Rae Bareli was a strong signal to her political opponents that she did not run away from trouble.

Winding up her two-day campaign tour of the constituency, she said the large crowds that had gathered to hear her despite the scorching heat was proof that "you (the people) are fighting for me and I have nothing to worry."

Maintaining that politics was not only for the sake of posts and power, Ms. Gandhi said: "Politics shows the path to service. This path is difficult but it definitely ushers in people's love and affection. I know I have your love. You know the Congress is not merely a political party. It is an ideology, a policy, an ideal, a principle and a culture."

Recalling the ties that linked Rae Bareli to her mother-in-law Indira Gandhi and husband Rajiv Gandhi, she said that because of the people's support, her family could successfully face every challenge.

Recalling the circumstances that led to her resignation, Ms. Gandhi told the audience at public meetings in Lal Ganj and Maharaj Ganj that the Opposition parties were now engaged in "protecting each other." "Politics cannot be done through double standards," she said and expressed indignation towards those parties that dabbled in politics only for the sake of power.

Charge against SP regime

Addressing five election rallies, she targeted the State Government for being indifferent to the "well being of the common man" and advancing its own vested interests.

She claimed that the Samajwadi Party-led regime had declined to accept funds under a Rs. 265-crore project approved by the Union Ministry of Water Resources. Ms. Gandhi also accused the Uttar Pradesh government of "not cooperating" with the Centre for implementing developmental projects in Rae Bareli. She also charged the Mulayam Singh Yadav Government with indulging in "personal politics."

PTI, UNI

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