Sonia heartily welcomed with 'rain of roses' in Rai Barely for filing nomination

Supporters throw flower petals towards Sonia Gandhi as she arrives to file her nomination papers for the upcoming general elections, in Rae Bareli. (AP Photo)

Supporters hand bouquets of flowers to Sonia Gandhi as she arrives to file her nomination papers for the upcoming general elections. (AP Photo)

Chairperson of India's ruling United Progressive Alliance and Congress party President Sonia Gandhi waves to the crowd as she arrives to file her nomination papers for the upcoming general elections, in Rae Bareli. (AP Photo)

Congress party Vice President Rahul Gandhi drives his mother Sonia Gandhi to file her nomination papers for the upcoming general elections, in Rae Bareli. (AP Photo)

India will hold national elections from April 7 to May 12, kicking off a vote that many observers see as the most important election in more than 30 years in the world's largest democracy. (AP)

Uttar Pradesh is India's largest state with a population of 200 million, almost matching that of Brazil. (AP Photo)