Disapproving the ostentatious lifestyles of many of her partymen, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Saturday said the blatant display of affluence reflected "double standards" on their part.

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"Two years ago I had sent some suggestions on a code of conduct and simplicity to all the chief ministers and PCC presidents. It seems that it has remained only on paper. This has pained me a lot," she said in her presidential address at the All India Congress Committee session.

She said the fight against poverty cannot be led by those blatantly displaying money power.

"Those of us who take inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi should not have such double standards," she said and added that those in public life should introspect and adopt a lifestyle reflecting simplicity and honesty.

Seeking to strengthen coordination between the organisation and government, Gandhi said party should not be relegated to the background and party workers should not be ignored once the party comes to power.

"One of the reasons for our losing in some of the states was that the government there became superior to the party. Government programmes were not projected as party's programmes," she said.