Wednesday, August 9 2006 09:52 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kanpur: In a virtual launch of the party's campaign for next year's assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh, Congress President Sonia Gandhi today asked party rank and file to brace for a do or die battle to oust Mulayam Singh Yadav Government.

"Let us pledge for a do-or-die battle to save Uttar Pradesh and establish a secular government which cares for all sections of society", Gandhi told a party rally at Phoolbagh Maidan in this key industrial town of the state.

Accusing Samajwadi Party government of being responsible for backwardness of the state, she said enough money was given to the state in the last two years of the UPA Government at the Centre and wondered how this money was utilised.

"I can say with confidence that more money was given to Uttar Pradesh in the last two years. But where have all that money gone? You should ask this question to the state government and if they (the state government) cannot answer it they should vacate their chair", she said.