Gandhi, addressing the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) meeting, also made a veiled attack on the CPM-led government in West Bengal over the violence in Nandigram.

"In our campaign, we are reaffirming our firm commitment to fundamental Constitutional and secular values and highlighting the grave failures of the BJP government," she said at the meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at her side.

Obviously referring to the Tehelka sting operation over the post-Godhra riots, Gandhi, who is also the CPP Chairperson, said, "the media had also exposed the active involvement of the BJP leadership in the brutalities which took place in 2002."

Complimenting the Prime Minister for his ‘wise leadership which he has demonstrated with quiet determination’, she attacked the BJP for its ‘obstructionist attitude’ in Parliament.

She said the ‘hollowness’ of the main Opposition's stance was once again exposed during the debate on the nuclear deal.

Turning to Nandigram, Gandhi said the cult of violence and the manner in which armed party cadres prevented the law and order machinery from fulfilling its obligations to the people was most unfortunate.