Jaipur, Jan 18 (IANS): Congress president Sonia Gandhi Friday expressed concern that "competitors" were making inroads into the party's traditional support bases.

"The Congress is facing increased competition and inroads have been made into its traditional support bases," Gandhi said while addressing the opening of the party's 'Chintan Shivir' brainstoriming session leaders here.

"There are some states where we have been out of power for too long... Although I believe that being in power is not the sole purpose of political activity, this does have an adverse impact on our morale and organsational ability," she said.

The Congress chief advised party workers to respect alliances made with other parties, but ensure, at the same time, that the party's rejuvenation is not compromised.

Praising the work done by the Manmohan Singh government at the centre, she said the party has not been able to translate this into political support in some states.