Bhilwara: Congress president Sonia Gandhi on May 13 virtually kicked off the campaign for Assembly polls in Rajasthan at a farmers' rally, attacking Vajpayee government's "discrimination" against the party- ruled state in helping to tackle drought and Vishwa Hindu Parishad's (VHP) "attempt" to whip up communal tensions through trident distribution.

Addressing the rally, she said the economic policies of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre did not spare even the farmers levying taxes on fertilisers and agricultural products and claimed credit for forcing the government to roll back some of the taxes.

She accused the Centre of "deliberately delaying" assistance to Rajasthan which was facing drought for the fifth consecutive year.

The Centre, she said, also "failed" to implement its promise of wheat allotment to Rajasthan and sanctioned a meagre amount as compared to what was demanded by the state.

Attacking trident distribution campaign of VHP, Gandhi said it was unfortunate that the youths were being "misled" and communal tensions being fomented by divisive forces.

"Today's youth need a pen and a notebook instead of guns and women require safety," she said.

Calling upon the youth to "uproot" communal forces, she said it was vital to defend the integrity and unity of the country.

The Congress chief said despite financial crunch, the state government had been able to undertake "significant" relief works and made strides on power, road and irrigation fronts.

Pointing out that a committee was set up for monitoring implementation of the party manifesto in Congress-ruled states, Gandhi directed Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot to be extra vigilant during the next three months of summer and extend all possible assistance to drought-hit people.

PTI