Nilanga (M'rashtra): Congress president Sonia Gandhi today (Apr 1, 2004) urged voters from Marathwada region of the State to defeat the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) Government at the Centre which had not kept its promises and was instrumental in aggravating their problems.

"I know you are facing several problems, particularly agriculturists and unemployed youths coupled with spiralling rise in prices. This is because of wrong policies of the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) led NDA Government and therefore it is essential to dislodge this Government," Sonia said addressing a public rally in the Latur district while commencing poll campaign of the Congress, NCP (Nationalist Congress Party) and RPI (Republican Party of India) combine in the State.

The Congress president, who held a series of mass contact programmes from Latur to Solapur, told people during her tour that they had an opportunity again to cast their vote and possessed an important tool called ballot which they had to use wisely and rightly against those who had belied their hopes.

Sonia arrived at Aurad-Shahgani village in Latur district from Bidar town of Karnataka this morning and started her mass contact programme. She met people at Lamjani, Ausa, Ujani, Arani-Pati villages enroute to Tuljapur.

She is slated to offer prayers to Goddess Tulaja Bhavani along with NCP chief Sharad Pawar this evening. Later, she would address a public meeting at Solapur, her first rally with Sharad Pawar ever since he left Congress to form NCP.

During her road show, Sonia was accompanied by Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, Congress nominee from Latur Shivraj Patil, AICC (All India Congress Committee) General Secretary in charge of party affairs Vyalar Ravi and other senior leaders.

In her mass contact programme, the Congress president came across complaints from the drought-affected people of Marathwada regarding non-payment of wages for EGS, lack of amenities like drinking water and facilities like health and education.

The Congress president ensured the people that she would take up these issues urgently with the State Government.