Ambaji (Banaskantha): Congress president Sonia Gandhi on December 3 kicked off the party's campaign for the crucial December 12 Gujarat Assembly elections by offering prayers at the famous Ambaji temple in the district. Gandhi arrived at the pilgrim centre by helicopter at about 11:30 hours (IST) and was greeted by party workers.

After performing puja at the Ambe Mata temple, she headed for Hadad village, about seven km away, from where she will address her first public rally for this election campaign.

She is accompanied, among others, by state Congress president Shankersinh Vaghela, AICC (All India Congress Committee), general secretary Kamal Nath and other senior party leaders. Vaghela said that the Congress president's visit to the temple should not be seen 'only in election light'. Anybody who visits the area also visits the temple.

PTI