Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Thursday asked the people of Uttar Pradesh to seek details from the state government about the misuse of funds sanctioned by the Centre for undertaking development works.

Addressing a poll rally at Moti Jheel grounds, Sonia said the state is facing a severe crunch due to the misuse of Central funds.

She accused the Mulayam Singh Yadav government of "dividing people, encouraging corruption and protecting criminals."

The United Progressive Alliance chairperson said there was a time when Uttar Pradesh used to set examples for the entire country and claimed only a Congress government can restore the old glory.

She said it was necessary to bring back the Congress to power "to end mafia rule and lead the state to development."

Leader of Congress Legislative Party Pramod Tiwari urged the Election Commission to ban the Bharatiya Janata Party from contesting Assembly elections for circulating a CD that allegedly refers to the Babri mosque demolition and Godhra train arson.

"BJP wants to win the elections by dividing the people of the state," Tiwari said.

Union Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal, state Congress president Salman Khursheed and senior party leader Ashok Gehlot were also present in the public meeting.