New Delhi: Rejecting fresh appeals by top Congress leaders to change her mind, party president Sonia Gandhi today (May 19, 2004) asked Congressmen to understand the "depth" of her sentiment behind refusal of Prime Ministership but made it clear she was "still very much in politics".

In her one-and-a-half page statement, Gandhi also appealed to the partymen to support the new Congress Prime Minister.

Elections 2004-Where is India heading...
Political Parties in India

"I urge you to support the Congress Prime Minister. And I request you to give your full support to the new Cabinet. The Congress Party is overflowing with talent. Let us give India the Government it deserves.

Gandhi said she was overwhelmed by the love of Congressmen and added, "But now we must get on with the serious business of undoing the damage done by the last Government and of working to create the India of our dreams."

"I understand your disappointment. But I appeal to you to understand the depth of my sentiment when I say that I cannot reverse my decision."

"We live in times when politics is about power. Let us show the world that for the Congress Party, politics is about values and integrity," she said.