Sonia banks on women for large voter turn-out

Rae Bareli, UP, May 3 (UNI) Congress president Sonia Gandhi today urged the women to turn out in large numbers for the May 8 Rae Bareli by-elections and said being a woman herself she knew what all they had to do for their families.

Addressing election meetings at Satawan, Saraini and Sadar, Ms Gandhi said ''Being a woman, I consider emancipation of women as my main objective. Women have to play an important role in the development of society.'' ''Mein ek nani bhi hoon...(I am also a grandmother, therefore I understand what all women have to do,'' she said at Sadar where over 3,000 women, besides other members of public had gathered.

Reminding Rae Bareli of its long standing association with the Nehru-Gandhi family, she said Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi always strived for the development of India as well as Rae Bareli.

Ms Gandhi said she would try her best to ensure a bright future for the children of Rae Bareli. The AICC president reminded the people of the work she has done for the development of the area and the number of employment generated through various schemes.

''Being Prime Minister is not the only achievement, but to work for the people and earn their respect is something to cherish,'' she observed.

Ms Gandhi, who resigned her Lok Sahba seat on March 23 over the post of profit controversy, is seeking re-election to the lower house from the high-profile Parliamentary constituency.

The Congress chief is slated to address as-many-as five election meetings in the constituency, one in each five Assembly segments in Rae Bareli including Saraini, Satawan, Sadar, Dalmau and Bachrawan.

UNI NAB VS HS RK2012