Sonia hits back: Mulayam ignored my turf

Addressing three large election meetings at Sareni, Khiron and Rae Bareli Sadar, the UPA chairperson made her displeasure known at the UP Government for ignoring the interests of her constituency.

‘‘They ( ruling party and the state government) have only one agenda: to harm Sonia Gandhi. Development of Rae Bareli figured nowhere in their scheme of things. If the state government had cooperated many pending development schemes would have been completed.’’

But, she was quick to remind the electorate: ‘‘Sonia Gandhi is not going to run away as I have always strived to uphold the principles of polity, which is why I resigned as the chairperson of National Advisory Board as I did not hold the post for personal gains.’’

The Congress president took offence to allegations of the BJP and the Samajwadi Party that she was hankering for power. ‘‘Jo log usoolon ki ladai ladte hain, woh aandhi, toofan se nahin darte (Those who fight the war of principles do not fear storms),’’ she said.

Drawing a parallel between the SP government in UP and the UPA government at the Centre, Sonia said whenever the state government has asked for central assistance, the Manmohan Singh government has responded since it did not believe in discrimination. ‘‘Then, why this discrimination with Rae Bareli? Is Rae Bareli not part of UP, and UP not part of India?’’ she wanted to know.

Sonia once again emphasised her family’s association with Rae Bareli, saying the people’s faith and trust were the ‘‘biggest asset of my family.’’

Why the electoral contest is likely to be one-sided is on account of the people here swearing by Sonia Gandhi. And, the loyalty cuts across party and caste lines, at least for the Lok Sabha elections. Sonia was late for her first meeting at Sareni yet the blazing sun did not deter the people from staying put at the venue.

One such supporter of Sonia is Neeraj Shukla, who did not hesitate to mention that he was a ‘‘kattar Bhajapayi’’ ( a staunch BJPite).

‘‘I am an active BJP worker but will vote for Sonia and not for Vinay Katiyar. At least I belong to a VVIP constituency where the money from the MPLAD fund has been put to rightful use,’’ Shukla told The Indian Express at Sareni.

B L Tripathi has been associated with the Congress ever since Feroze Gandhi was elected MP from Rae Bareli in 1957. ‘‘It is going to be a cakewalk for Sonia who will garner 90 per cent of the votes cast,’’ Tripathi said.

Sonia continues her campaigning tomorrow when she will address two other election meetings in Dalmau and Bachhrawan Assembly segments of her constituency.