Gandhi, on a daylong visit to Assam to campaign ahead of the second phase of the assembly polls April 10, blamed the opposition Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for failing to tackle insurgency and boost development in the state.

Assuaging the minority Muslim community, she said: "Our UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government is totally against any kind of infiltration from Bangladesh.

"But there is no need for any worry, no genuine Indians will be harassed in the name of detection and deportation of illegal migrants," Gandhi told an election meeting here amid loud applause.

Dhula, a village about 70 km north of Assam's main city Guwahati, is surrounded by a cluster of hamlets dominated by Bengali-speaking Muslim settlers. The Congress, which now rules Assam, has been wooing the minority community to return to power.

Partially drenched as she made her way from a makeshift helipad to the podium amid heavy showers, Gandhi received a tumultuous welcome from the estimated 20,000-strong crowd.

Wiping her hands and forehead before waving at the crowd, Gandhi played to the gallery.

"I am really moved seeing you all waiting patiently despite such heavy rains," she said.

The second and final phase of voting involves 61 assembly constituencies. The first phase of balloting for 65 seats concluded Monday.

For elderly Munir-un-nessa, who stood firm at the venue despite the rains, it was worth the trouble waiting to hear Gandhi.

"We came to this rally with a purpose," Munir-un-nessa said as she tried to protect herself from the downpour by hiding under a tree.

"Sonia Gandhi's assurance that we would not face harassment in the name of detection of Bangladeshis is very positive."

Munir-un-nessa said there were rumours spreading in her village that after the elections, Muslims might face problems from the authorities.

"We are not Bangladeshis and have been in Assam for generations. Still people say a lot of things about us," she said.

In her speech, Gandhi also launched a frontal attack on the AGP and BJP, saying the two parties were responsible for the heightened insurgency and lack of development.

"During the AGP rule, insurgency was at its peak and development came to a halt. Interestingly, the BJP was leading the central government at that time and the AGP was its ally," she said.

Gandhi pointed out there were many parties trying to divide the people on religious lines.

"There are parties and forces working to divide the people on communal lines.

We must be on our guard to defeat such plans," she said.

Exuding confidence that the Congress would be able to form the next government in Assam, Gandhi appealed to youths to strengthen the party.

"We want to build a new Assam with the help of the youths. Violence is no answer to any problems," she asserted.

A vast majority of the crowd was, however, more interested in having a close look at the helicopter that brought Gandhi. Men and women ran towards the helipad before she could finish her speech so that they could watch the aircraft take off, and police had a tough time keeping them at bay.

"It was like a dream come true to have seen both Sonia Gandhi and the helicopter from so close," said Habibur Rahman, a local youth.