Friday, May 5 2006 16:48 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Rae Bareli: A day before campaigning ends in Rae Bareli, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi today (May 5, 2006) stepped up his offensive against the Mulayam Singh Yadav Government suggesting it is time it should go.

Gandhi, who has been campaigning for the re-election of his mother, Sonia Gandhi, from this Lok Sabha constituency, refrained from predicting whether Rae Bareli poll outcome would be a catalyst for such a change.

"If the Government is not doing any work, it is time for change," he told reporters when asked about his charge of non- performance of the UP Government and if he felt it should go.

However, to a question whether the outcome of the May eight bypolls would be a catalyst to the change, he parried a direct reply saying "I am not a soothsayer".

Asked how he foresaw polling on May eight, he said it would depend on three factors-distance of polling booths from villages, heat and marriage season.

On whether caste would play a big factor in the post- Mandal era, Gandhi said "it is a factor but not an important one."

Rahul said U P has a lot of potential, but the people did not get the opportunity to grow. Government should come close to the people as it was not easy for national leaders to come in close contact with the masses.

To a question whether his sister Priyanka would also join the campaign, Rahul said she was not ready to involve herself with electioneering.

"I have told her that at least she can sit next to me in my car when I campaign," he said.

Priyanka is Sonia Gandhi's polling agent. Her husband Robert Vadra had yesterday joined Rahul during the campaign.

Asked about his memories from the campaigning which took him to hundreds of villages across the constituency, Rahul said, "The memories are very pleasant. I could contact so many people."

Rahul appealed to the people to come out in large numbers and vote for Congress. He especially appealed to the women to exercise their franchise in favour of Sonia Gandhi.