Sikar (Rajasthan), Nov 27 (IANS): Congress president Sonia Gandhi Wednesday accused the opposition of spreading rumours and asked people to challenge opposition leaders when they come seeking votes.

Addressing an election rally in Sikar, some 120 km from Jaipur, she said the opposition appeared to be adept in levelling baseless allegations even as the Congress was dedicated to people's welfare.

"When they come requesting for votes, you should ask yourself 'Where were they in the last five years?'

"They never tried to understand the problems faced by people. They just want to grab power.

"The people should draw a comparison between work done by the Congress and what the opposition parties did when they were in power," said Gandhi.

Gandhi said the opposition makes a mockery of the public welfare schemes, which are chiefly aimed at the mass of poor.

"They level baseless allegations at our leaders and make hollow promises. Their politics are all about making promises which they cannot fulfil," she said.

Speaking four days before Rajasthan votes to elect a new assembly, Gandhi praised the development work carried out by the Ashok Gehlot government in the state.

"Several public welfare schemes like the food security bill, free medicine and medical test scheme and free pension scheme were launched by the Congress governments in Rajasthan and Delhi," she said.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Gehlot also addressed the gathering.