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Sonia plays emotional card in Rae Bareli; files papers

Priyanka Vadra waves to the crowd during an election campaign rally as Rahul Gandhi (right) looks on, in Rae Bareli on Tuesday. — Reuters photo

Rae Bareli, April 6
Congress President Sonia Gandhi today filed her nomination papers from Rae Bareli Lok Sabha constituency and was in a combative mood hitting back at those attacking her claiming “it would be to her advantage.”

Unlike the drama and the festive air that surrounded her son Rahul Gandhi’s filing of nomination papers in neighbouring Amethi yesterday, today it was a business-like affair.

Sonia, who was by Rahul Gandhi’s side in Sultanpur yesterday, drove down from the guest house she was staying in here to the Congress party office in the town where a yajna was performed by a Congressman.

After spending 25 minutes with her family members, she went to the collectorate to file her nomination from the seat, which had elected the late Indira Gandhi in the past.

Sonia, who represented Amethi in the dissolved Lok Sabha, was accompanied by her children Rahul and Priyanka, son-in-law Robert Vadra, besides several Congress leaders when she filed her papers.

“Bolne dijiye...... (let them speak) The more they attack us and use unparliamentary language the more we would stand to benefit,” she said in an informal chat with reporters after filing her nomination here.

About the BJP’s ‘India Shining’ campaign, she said though she has been touring the whole country she has found no evidence of it yet.

On whether Muslims will support Congress in the coming Lok Sabha elections, Sonia said, “How can we say that at this moment. We will find this out on May 10?”

Commenting on her feelings on son Rahul contesting from Amethi, she said, “We will work together. I am happy that he is working for Amethi.”

When quizzed on whether he would have liked to see the whole Gandhi clan (Varun Gandhi) together Rahul Gandhi said, “Everybody should do what he feels is right. I wish him all the best.”

Sonia said her decision to contest from the traditional Lok Sabha seat of the Gandhi family was aimed at renewing old bonds with the constituency.

“This is the karmbhoomi of my father-in-law and mother-in-law (late Feroze Gandhi and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi) and a pious place for me”, she said while addressing a party workers’ meeting at the government inter college after filing her nomination papers from the constituency.

“Just as the honour of even a common party worker has been ensured in Amethi, all efforts will be made to safeguard the honour and dignity of the party workers here”, the Congress President said.

Without mincing words, she blamed the Vajpayee-led government at the Centre for the ills prevailing in politics .

“Our leaders had made great sacrifices for ensuring moral values in political life but over the years there has been a deterioration and the people today want change “, Sonia said adding that during her nation-wide tours she has found that the people wanted congress to return to power for restoring principle-based politics. — PTI 

Sonia fears threat to her life

New Delhi, April 6
Congress President Sonia Gandhi today said she feared “very serious threat” to her and her family members’ life.

Taking the threat in her stride, she added “But well that’s part of political lives and my mother-in-law and my husband lived and died for the country. I don’t believe they wished to die in any other way”. — PTI