Malihabad (Lucknow), July 26 - The Congress party Sunday started its campaign for by-polls to be held in six assembly constituencies Aug 18 with a rally by party national general secretary Digvijay Singh in this Uttar Pradesh town.

Addressing an impressive roadside rally, Singh drew much applause when he sought to issue a warning to Chief Minister Mayawati, 'Tum guroor mein nahin rahna; janata ke vote pa kar satta mein aayee ho, aur janata ke vote se hi tum jaogi,' (Don't be too proud; it was the people's vote that brought you to power and the same vote will drive you out).

Digvijay Singh was here to seek support for Satya Narain Kannaujiya, who switched loyalties from the Samajwadi Party to the Congress that was desperately looking for a suitable candidate for this reserved constituency.

Singh as well other prominent Congress leaders, including state Congress chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi, trained their guns on both ruling Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Samajwadi Party whom they pointedly blamed for taking Uttar Pradesh down in the dumps.

Interestingly, each time Singh, Joshi or recently elected MP from the neighbouring Barabanki constituency P.L. Punia embarked upon Mayawati's poor governance, it evoked instant applause from the gathering, comprising largely of SP and BSP turncoats, who were willing to openly swear by the Congress.