Sonia inaugurates rail factory: Has 2014 campaign begun?

, Nov 7: Congress president

on Wednesday virtually kicked off her parliamentary election campaign in Rae Bareli, her Lok Sabha constituency, by inaugurating the Lalganj rail coach factory. It is learnt that Sonia's daughter Priyanka Gandhi will reach Rae Bareli on Thursday for a two-day visit and will interact with representatives from various assembly constituencies under the Lok Sabha segment. Congress general secretary

will also be visiting his constituency Amethi on Thursday.

Sonia Gandhi flagged of 20 new air-conditioned coaches manufactured at the Lalganj factory in the presence of Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal to mark the inauguration.

The Congress chief said the factory was a big example of development for the people of Rae Bareli and also referred to hurdles that were faced while setting up the factory. Her words were indirectly targetted towards former UP Chief Minister Mayawati, who had allegedly created problems in handing over land for the factory in 2007.

Sonia Gandhi said the rail coach factory will help generate employment for the local youth. She also said that the factory will also help in setting up a number of small industries in the area.

The next Lok Sabha polls will be a tough test for the Congress in both these historical fortes of the Gandhis and more particularly after the UP assembly polls earlier this year when the Congress failed to win even one of the five assembly seats in Rae Bareli.

OneIndia News