Wednesday, March 16 2005 22:29 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Hyderabad: In a bid to save the peace initiative from collapsing in Andhra Pradesh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi today (Mar 16, 2005) said the Government's doors were open for talks with naxalite groups to find a lasting solution and made an emotional appeal for maintaining peace.

In the midst of escalating extremist violence, Gandhi, visiting the State for the first time after Congress coming to power last May, said the peace be given a chance and appealed to naxalite organisations to shun violence.

"Violence will not help solve any problem. Peace is essential for progress," she told a well-attended public meeting in Hyderabad, rounding off her brief visit to the city which was marred by Opposition protests over naming the proposed international airport near Hyderabad after Rajiv Gandhi.

Gandhi, who earlier laid the foundation stone for the airport, sought to strike an emotional chord with the gathering by recalling the sacrifices made by Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi and said "we will never forget the love and affection showered by you".

The meeting at the sprawling Parade Grounds was billed as 'victory rally' for the ten-month-old Congress Government.

While referring to the growing extremist violence in the State, the Congress president turned emotional and said "I can understand the pain and agony of families affected by extremist violence. I lost two of my loved ones to extremism."

"Our Government's doors are open for talks with naxal groups and we will sincerely strive to solve peoples' problems through dialogue," she said.