Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday kick-started her party’s election campaign in Gujarat with a big farmers rally in Rajkot. “We are facing challenging situations right now. You must be aware that few years back the world witnessed serious economic crisis. The situation is worse in some parts of the world even today. We also had to face a lot of trouble. We have to buy 80% of oil from other countries. The price of oil which we used to purchase from outside at @ Rs. 32 per barrel during NDA rule, has now become Rs. 140/- per barrel. Same is the case with Gas also. The increase in the prices puts pressure on us also. The UPA government still is making an effort to support people, why can't state governments do the same for people? Is it not the responsibility of the state governments also to take all possible measures to help the poor in their states? The VAT is highest in Gujarat. In Congress- ruled states, economically weaker sections get three extra LPG cylinders. Why doesn't Gujarat follow that model? The UPA government has made the legislation to give the rights in their forest lands for the adivasis, but why Gujarat state government did not implement this policy?” said Sonia Gandhi.