Sonia in Rae Bareli: Giving you my son, he won't disappoint you

LUCKNOW/RAE BARELI: Former Rae Bareli MP Sonia Gandhi reached out to voters of her erstwhile constituency on Friday as a mother passing the baton to her son after 20 years with a promise: "Rahul (Gandhi) will not disappoint you."
"All my life, my hands have remained full with your love and blessings ... Whatever I have in life, I owe it to you. I am now handing over my son Rahul to you ...The way you accepted me like one of your own, keep Rahul with you in the same manner," she said in a two-minute speech.
Sonia was first elected to Parliament from Rae Bareli in 2004, marking the start of an innings that lasted until earlier this year when she vacated the seat to become a Rajya Sabha member.
Rae Bareli my biggest wealth & family: Sonia
After keeping everyone guessing about whether he would contest from the family bastion, Rahul filed his nomination for Rae Bareli on May 3 in the presence of Sonia Gandhi and sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
Sonia's second appearance in Rae Bareli in as many weeks saw her taking the mike for the first time in UP this election. "I bow my head in reverence to you all. You gave me the chance to serve you for 20 years. This is my life's biggest wealth. Rae Bareli is my family, just as Amethi is my home." The former Congress president said some of her most cherished memories were linked to the constituency.
"The pious soil of this place has held the roots of my family for more than 100 years. This relationship, which is as pure as Ganga Maa, began with the farmers' agitation of Awadh and Rae Bareli, and has continued to date."
Sonia said she taught Rahul and Priyanka what "Indira ji and the people of Rae Bareli taught me respect all, protect the weak, fight for the rights of the people with whoever you have to, and don't be scared because struggle is your legacy".