Sonia charges BJP Govt with apathy in defending the LoC

"While the Vajpayee Government `utterly failed’ in defending the country’s borders following Pakistani intrusion, it is ridiculous that they are celebrating Kargil victory now," the Congress president said.

She came down heavily on the minority Vajpayee Government for taking several policy decisions in the economic sector and entering into various agreements. "A caretaker Government has no right to do all this," Gandhi said.

Virtually launching the party’s election campaign inUttar Pradesh, Gandhi asked partymen to be united and face elections to ensure resounding victory at the hustings.

Referring to dismal performance of the party especially in Uttar Pradesh, she said, "We have to blame ourselves because we lost contacts with the people."

"It is not a time to fight among ourselves. We should sink petty differences and remain united to win elections. Our party is a big family and we should go to the people explaining about our commitment, ideology and principles to take the country on way to prosperity," Gandhi said amid shouts of Sonia tum sangharsh karo, hum tumhare saath hain (Sonia you fight we are with you).

The minorities, poor and the downtrodden and the Dalits have been traditional Congress voters but they were forced to switch their loyalty to other parties because of wrong doings and attitude towards them in recent years, but we have to win back their confidence, Gandhi said.

Accusing the BJP of "failures" on all counts, she said people have faced risingprices, corruption and atrocities on minorities and Dalits.

She also blamed the Vajpayee Government for betraying people of the hills on the Uttarakhand issue.

"It is dismal performance of the Kalyan Singh Government in Uttar Pradesh because of which government employees are finding it difficult to get their salary in time due to severe economic crisis," Gandhi said.

"New districts have been created but there is no administration worth its name," she said.

"I see a wave of change with large number of people waiting for Congress rule but it is the worker who will win election for the party and not the leader alone," she said.

Gandhi said her party would bring in a special package for the Uttar Pradesh in the election manifesto.