Claiming a landslide victory for Sonia Gandhi in the Rae Bareli by-poll, Congress on Monday brushed aside the Samajwadi Party's objection to presence of Priyanka Gandhi in the constituency and called it a case of "mental bankruptcy."
"This demand (for removal of Priyanka) was just a manifestation of political bankruptcy heightened by panic before doom," Congress Legislature Party leader Pramod Tiwari told reporters in Allahabad.
He said, "tomorrow, they may even say that Sonia Gandhi should not have been allowed to visit her constituency."
UPCC President Salman Khurshid, who was also present, said Sonia Gandhi had only enhanced her unprecedented popularity by her rare sacrifice.
Khurshid attacked the Mulayam government for having failed to provide adequate power supply and keep law and order under check.
He also criticised Mulayam Singh Yadav over the proposed Dadri power project issue.
"Congress would begin a state wide yatra from May 23 to mobilise public opinion in its favour," he added.