Jagdalpur (Chhattisgarh): Virtually kicking off the Congress election campaign for Chhattisgarh Assembly polls, party president Sonia Gandhi on May 20 attempted to woo the tribals, recalling the relations shared by Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and her party with them.

"I realised after becoming a member of Indira Gandhi's family that she had an immense love for tribals. When I accompanied Rajiv to several parts of the country I found that tribals are very simple, open hearted and truthful, who know the worth of the relationships based on love and affection," Sonia told a Congress rally.

"Congress aur meri parivar ka apsi rista pidhion se hai aur aap pyaar ka rista nibhana jante hai," she said ahead of the year-end Assembly polls for the 90-member House of this tribal dominated state.

Indira always wanted the development of the tribals but not at the cost of their culture and traditions since she was of the opinion that one could learn many things from the rich cultural traditions, Sonia said.

All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary in charge of Chhattisgarh Vilasrao Deshmukh also accompanied her on a daylong tour to the state.

Recalling the contribution of Congress in the development of tribals, Sonia said both Indira and Rajiv were proud of the tribal culture and tradition and they always worked towards their development and launched several new projects for them.

"I have also similar feelings towards you and I want to maintain that relation all through my life," she told the tribal rally at the divisional headquarters of Bastar.

Since independence, Congress had been working for the development of the tribals, she said adding that while Indira launched tribal sub-plan and 20-point programme for the uplift of the tribals and dalits, Rajiv had launched a special recruitment drive.

Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and others also wanted a Constitution, which could ensure rapid development among poor tribals and dalits because of which Dr B R Ambedkar was made chairman of the Constitution committee, Sonia said.

Chhattisgarh government has also allocated 50 per cent of its Budget for the development of tribal and dalit areas of the state and a separate Rs 362 crore plan has been formulated for development of tribal dominated Sarguja and Bastar districts of the state, she added.

PTI