Sonia explains her decision to party workers

MANDATE 2004

Rejecting fresh appeals by top Congress leaders to change her mind, party President Sonia Gandhi today asked Congressmen to understand the "depth" of her sentiment behind refusal of prime ministership but made it clear she was "still very much in politics".

In her one-and-a-half page statement, Gandhi also appealed to the partymen to support the new Congress Prime Minister.

"I urge you to support the Congress Prime Minister. And I request you to give your full support to the new Cabinet. The Congress party is overflowing with talent. Let us give India the government it deserves," she said.

Gandhi said she was overwhelmed by the love of Congressmen and added "but now we must get on with the serious business of undoing the damage done by the last government and of working to create the India of our dreams."

"I understand your disappointment. But I appeal to you to understand the depth of my sentiment when I say that I cannot reverse my decision. We live in times when politics is about power. Let us show the world that for the congress party, politics is about values and integrity," she said.

Speaking for herself, Gandhi said: "I will always be here, working for the party. The Congress is my life. All of you are my family. Let us now build the 21st century India that was Rajivji's vision".

She assured those who were upset or disappointed by the decision that she was not going anywhere. "I am still very much in politics. I will continue as Congress president and chairperson of the party in Parliament for as long as you want me to. I am one of you and nothing will ever change that."

Gandhi said she "entered politics out of a sense of duty and commitment and her family had always treated politics as part of a crusade to create a better India".

"Indiraji and Rajivji made the supreme sacrifice for our nation. Their examples inspired us all and I know that I derive my strength from their courage," she added.

Declaring that no matter how much adversity she has faced, Gandhi said it was nothing compared to what they had to go through.

"Today it is their strength and their inspiration that guide me and the Congress party," Gandhi said.