Thursday, May 4 2006 17:57 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Rae Bareli: "This is not an ordinary election," Congress President Sonia Gandhi today (May 4, 2006) told the people of this Lok Sabha constituency from where she is seeking re-election following her resignation after being accused of holding an office of profit.

"It is a fight for principles," she asserted, explaining that her decision to quit and re-contest from Rae Bareli was a strong signal to her political opponents that she did not run away from trouble, come what may.

Winding up her two-day campaign tour of the constituency, she said the large crowd that had gathered to hear her despite the scorching heat was proof that "You (the people) are fighting for me and I have nothing to worry".

Maintaining that politics was not only for the sake of posts and power, Gandhi said, "politics showed the path to service. This path is slightly difficult but it definitely ushers in people's love and affection. I know I have your love. "

"You know the Congress is not merely a political party. It is an ideology, a policy, an ideal, a principle and culture," he said.

Recalling the ties that linked Rae Bareli to her mother-in-law Indira Gandhi and late husband Rajiv Gandhi, she said that because of the people's support, her family could successfully face every challenge.

Seeking votes from women, Gandhi said she would fight for them.

Gandhi also accused the Uttar Pradesh government of 'not cooperating' with the Centre for implementing developmental projects in Rae Bareli.

Gandhi said the Congress-led UPA Government had offered Rs 265 crore for cleaning the Indira canal but the Uttar Pradesh Government refused to accept the funds.

"Perhaps, the UP Government believes that Rae Bareli is not in the state," she said, adding the state government'smove had deprived thousands of people of irrigation water.

She also charged the Mulayam Singh Yadav Government with indulging in 'personal politics'.

Without naming Yadav's Samajwadi Party, Gandhi alsosaid a "Political party was trying to divide society on caste lines" as it did not understand the importance of principles in public life.

"Those who try to split the society on caste lines will not understand what principles in public life mean," she told the election meeting here.

Before addressing the public meeting in Dalmau assembly segment, Gandhi visited a century-old Durga temple and offered prayers there.

Old timers say the temple was constructed by King Rana Beni Madhav, who fought the British during the country's freedom struggle.

People believe that whenever the king invoked the blessings of the goddess, the deity would appear before him in person and offer a sword to fight the war.