New Delhi, Feb 05: Asserting that Congress has fulfilled role of principal opposition party in a "constructive and effective manner", its president Sonia Gandhi today asked party men to conduct a "firm but dignified" campaign to expose BJP in the coming Lok Sabha polls. "The next two-three months are going to see an intense election campaign.... We will conduct a firm but dignified campaign, unlike BJP whose campaign is always full of abuse, hate and discord," she said addressing the general body meeting of Congress Parliamentary Party.

"But this does not mean that we should be on defensive", Gandhi said and pointed out that in the past few weeks the party started its election preparations in a systematic way. She said Congress was negotiating alliances in different states - "alliances that are based on convergence of policies and programmes" - and senior AICC coordinators have been put in place in each state to facilitate effective campaigning.

The process of identifying candidates has begun and the momentum would pick up in the next few days, she added.

Reacting to the Delhi High Court verdict clearing her husband and late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in the Bofors pay-off case, Gandhi said their stand has been vindicated that he was not involved in it. "I must begin on a personal note. After 17 years of allegations, abuse, calumny and vilification, Rajiv has finally been vindicated", she said.

"It is the support of crores of Congress members that has kept me and my family going," she added. Bureau Report