Battle for UP: Sonia Gandhi sounds poll bugle on PM Modi's turf

Varanasi, Aug 2 (ANI): Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday launched her party's campaign for the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's parliamentary constituency Varanasi. The roadshow began with Gandhi putting a garland at the statue of Dr B.R. Ambedkar at the Circuit House. Standing in an SUV, she waved to the thousands of people who gathered as her cavalcade of cars drove slowly through the streets of the temple town. Thousands of party supporters and workers took part in the roadshow, which started from the Circuit House to Englishiya Line, a distance of about eight kilometres. It was ensured that Congress president's posters, banners, welcome arches and gates are seen everywhere in the city. Mini trucks displaying posters with '27 Saal, UP Behaal' (27 years of UP's distress) written on them were seen moving along with cavalcade. Hundreds of party workers were also holding placards having the same slogan written on them. The Congress, which has roped in election strategist Prashant Kishor, has rejigged its team for the election this time and named former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit as its chief ministerial candidate. The Congress, which hopes to make inroads in the state this time, won only two seats in Uttar Pradesh in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. (ANI)