New Delhi: Sonia Gandhi today (May 18, 2004) said she followed "inner mind" when she humbly declined to take up the Prime Minister's post.

Addressing the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP), she said throughout the past six years that she has been in politics one thing that has been clear to her was that as has been often stated by her, the post of Prime Minister "is not important for me".

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Sonia told the MPs that she would not reverse the decision and requested them to accept it.

She said whenever she found herself in a position like today she always followed the "inner mind", which she did to "humbly decline" to accept the post of Prime Minister.

"I must abide by my decision and I appeal to you to understand my decision," Gandhi said.

She said, "My resolve will all the more be firm to fight for the vision and ideals. My aim has always been to defend secularism. We have taken significant steps towards this goal."

Gandhi said, "We have won a successful battle, but the war is yet to be won. I appeal to you to understand my request and accept my decision," she said adding, "I am not going to change my decision."

Gandhi said her foremost responsibility was to give the country a secular Government, which was strong and stable.

"As one of you and the president of Congress, I pledge to work with you for the Congress party towards our vision and principles."

The Congress MPs repeatedly surrounded her to persuade her to reverse her decision. They shouted that she should not bow to any pressure, to which Gandhi responded by saying, "There is no blackmail from any party. This is my inner voice and conscience."