Rae Bareli, March 28
Putting the ball into the court of the people of Rae Bareli, Congress president Sonia Gandhi today called upon them to give a befitting reply to the injustice met out to her at the hands of the Opposition.

Arriving to a rousing welcome, a visibly touched Sonia Gandhi returned the sentiments in the same coin, calling the jam-packed audience at the public meeting at Government Inter College her extended family.

Dressed in a beige sari with an orange colour border, the “bahu” of Rae Bareli had her head demurely covered and orange roli smeared on her forehead. Just as she entered Rae Bareli she had stopped for puja at the Hanuman mandir Charuwa.

“It is the family that one turns to in good times as well as in bad. I discussed the decision to resign from the Lok Sabha with Rahul and Priyanka. Now I have come here to share my feelings with you”, said Sonia to a widely cheering audience.

Calling the Congress a philosophy and ideology and not just a political party an unusually belligerent Ms Gandhi attacked the Opposition for believing that every party and every individual was just committed to seeking power.

“Earlier despite their sacrifices and service to the nation they had attacked Jawaharlal Nehru, then Indiraji and Rajivji and now it is my turn. Even if lightening strikes or there is a hailstorm they do not hesitate to blame me for it. Every arrow, every bullet is aimed at me ”, she retorted.

Ms Gandhi blamed the Opposition for creating an atmosphere where she had to stand up and tell the world that for her setting high moral standards in public life was the first priority.

“Now after my resignation their language and tone has changed. But I will not retreat. I have come to you to demand justice”, thundered Ms Gandhi praising the discerning electorate of Rae Bareli for their political acumen.