Sonia puts to rest change of guard in the state

Gandhi was speaking at the farmer's rally at Loni,  in Ahmadnagar district organised by veteran Congress MP Balasaheb Vikhe-Patil.  However,  she cautioned Deshmukh by asking him not to remain laxed and speed up the good work which government is doing.  Congress president will address party workers later in the day in Mumbai and will also attend the dinner hosted by Deshmukh, later in the evening.  

Justifying the rise in the fuel prices she said,  "Those who are critisisng on this issue to us should remember that,  in their regime crude oil was available for just $ 30 or $ 40 per barrel but now its prices have touched $140 a barrel".  And both central government and governments ruled by the Congress and its allies tried to reduce the shock of fuel rise by reducing the taxes on oil, she reminded.

Indicating Congress is already in poll mode Gandhi reminded the people number of welfare schemes and initiatives like National Rrural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NERGS),  Bharat Nirman,  urban renewal mission and introduction of women reservation bill in Rajya Sabha. 

However she restrained from touching upon the vexed issue of Indo-US nuclear deal.