Sonia joins celebrations at 10, Janpath

Drum beats echoed through the street, closed to traffic, as hundreds of party activists marched from its one end to the other.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Thursday joined her election victory celebrations at her home, waving to the cheering crowds that thronged her 10, Janpath residence in New Delhi.

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In a less-than-a-minute appearance, Sonia walked into a makeshift barricade and stood on the footrest of a Tata Safari and waved to her supporters who were shouting 'Long Live Sonia'.

Wearing a printed black salwar suit, she walked back to her home after the brief appearance, refusing a byte to television crews on her election sweep in the Rae Bareli by-polls.

The 10, Janpath surroundings erupted into celebration the moment television channels began beaming news of a comfortable lead for the Congress president in the May 8 by-elections.

Drum beats echoed through the street, closed to traffic, as hundreds of party activists marched from its one end to the other in ecstatic celebrations.

Supporters set off fire crackers and littered the Akbar Road with flower petals while celebrating the victory of their leader who had stepped down as Lok Sabha member over the office-of-profit controversy.

The crowds went louder and louder and music blared from speakers mounted on motorcars as fresh trends poured in from Rae Bareli.

Congress supporters strained for a glimpse of their leader as she made a brief and silent appearance amidst the crowds.