Attacking the opposition chief ministers for making 'false claims' that the national rural employment guarantee scheme was theirs, Congress president Sonia Gandhi [Images] Sunday said the scheme was fully funded by the United Progressive Alliance government.

"It is a UPA government scheme. 90 per cent of the funds needed for the scheme is being allocated by the Centre. Some chief ministers make false claims that the scheme is their own," Sonia said while kicking off the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-led Democratic Progressive Alliance's election campaign for the May 8 assembly polls in Tamil Nadu in Tiruchirappalli.

Asking the voters to free the state from the 'clutches' of ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam by voting out the Jayalalithaa government in the assembly elections, Sonia said only DPA could provide a 'responsive and caring' government.

In a brief speech at the concluding session of DMK's three-day ninth state-level conference, Sonia said the DPA, if elected, would provide a "bright future to the state, in which every single citizen would lead a life of dignity, security and pride".

"Let us work for the establishment of a DPA government, headed by Dr Kalaignar M Karuanidhi," she said.

Describing Tamil Nadu as a source of strength to the UPA government at the Centre, she said, "The UPA came to power because of the massive mandate and support given by the state people in the last Lok Sabha elections."

Showering praise on Karunanidhi, she said he was the main architect of the DPA in Tamil Nadu and UPA at the Centre.

"He commands great respect because of his wisdom, vast political experience and administrative ability," she said.