Sonia Gandhi addressed Congress party workers "for the last time" as leader of the Congress party. She congratulated her son Rahul Gandhi who took over as Congress president - a post she held since 1998. During her speech she also spoke about her initial days in politics and how Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi guided her at the start.

Here are the highlights of Sonia Gandhi's last speech as leader of the Congress after Rahul Gandhi became Congress President:

• I congratulate Rahul Gandhi for officially taking over as Congress President today.
• This is new beginning, a new hope for the Congress. This is my last speech to you all as leader of the Congress party.
• Two decades ago, when you chose me as Congress chief, I remember my hands were trembling as I addressed you all. I didn't know how I would be able to handle such a great responsibility. But the love you all showed gave me courage. I thank you all for being so supportive.
  
• I was introduced to politics for the first time after marrying Rajiv Gandhi. Indira Gandhi was a big support.
• This family has done so much for the country. They have given their lives for the country.
• Indira Gandhi took me into the family as her daughter and supported me at every stage. When she was assassinated in 1984, I felt like my mother was taken from me.
• A great responsibility suddenly came upon my husband Rajiv Gandhi, with whom, I remember travelling the length and breadth of India.
• India had many challenges at that time, which Rajiv Gandhi handled with you all to steer India to what we see today. I salute Indira and Rajiv Gandhi for their invaluable contribution to India.
• I thank you all for supporting me throughout my political career. Together, we have kept India united.
• Since 2014, we have been in the opposition. I must say that we have never, in India's history, been staring at such testing times. Those in power today are weakening the very pillars of our constitution. But we will never let them succeed. We will never, ever, give up. Protecting and uniting India is our duty. My duty, your duty.
• If we do not stand by our values, how will we protect and safeguard the common man? How will we ensure a free and united India. I urge you all to do your best.
• India today is a young nation, and you have now chosen Rahul Gandhi to lead you. Rahul Gandhi is my son, and it would not be right of me to praise him as he takes office. But I can say this, that in these testing times, he has stood up to dangerous men in power. He has faced challenges with courage and will steer the party in the correct direction.
• I thank you all for your support over all these years.

(Sonia Gandhi congratulates Rahul Gandhi for being elected Congress president)