Congress supporters hail Sonia's 'sacrifice'

Soon after Congress president Sonia Gandhi announced her resignation from the Lok Sabha and the post of National Advisory Council chairperson on Thursday, scenes outside 10, Janpath, her residence in New Delhi, were a flashback to what happened nearly two years ago when she had turned down the prime minister's post.

Hundreds of Congress supporters have gathered outside her residence, shouting slogans and burning effigies of Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, and pleading with her to take back her resignation. The gathering forced police to set up more barricades and deploy extra security personnel in already high-security zone.

Should Sonia have resigned? Tell us

Hailing her 'sacrifice,' Congress supporters refused to disperse saying they will not go back until Sonia took back her resignation. In May 2004, thousands of party supporters had turned up at the same place, demanding that she take on the mantle of prime minister and had castigated the saffron party for opposing the high post.

Congress supporters raised slogans like "Sonia ko lana hai, desh Bachana hai" (Sonia has to be brought to save the nation). Girish Gupta, youth Congress leader from Indore, said, "Our leader has again made a supreme sacrifice. We are with her in the struggle."

'Sonia has called BJP's bluff'

Party legislator from Delhi Jai Kishen told PTI, "She has taken a right decision because dignity is more important than Lok Sabha membership or any other post. But we are hurt at what has happened. The Opposition always raises baseless issues - earlier it was her foreign origin and now this."

Refuting that there was any political pressure for Sonia to resign, senior Congress leader from the capital Jagdish Tytler said, "She has taken a decision with her own conscience. Nobody can dictate. She is a very strong person."