Allahabad:
From black balloons as a sign of protests to posters that declare her Mata India (Mother India), Sonia Gandhi's visit to Allahabad today has begun in controversy.
The posters- put up by the UP Congress - also show Rahul Gandhi as Lord Krishna and have evoked fierce criticism from local Opposition parties.
A hundred BJP workers have also been taken into preventive custody after they clashed with the police. Carrying black flags and balloons, they say they wanted to demonstrate against the massive corruption that they allege the government is infused with.
Sonia Gandhi is attending a function commemorating 125 years of the Congress party; she is also addressing a public rally.
This is Sonia Gandhi's first major appearance in UP after the general election results which saw the Congress making significant gains in the state. The strong showing is attributed to Rahul Gandhi who has spent considerable time visiting Amethi and other parts of the state.
Taking on the BJP for allowing Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa to continue in office despite several charges of illicit land deals, Sonia Gandhi said, "According to the principles of the Congress, the government has acted on corruption. Wherever we have got a serious complaint, we have taken action...we are not like the others. We will not tolerate corruption at any cost. I want to say to the entire opposition that on the issue of corruption, they should show action on corruption like the Congress has."