PTI
 
New Delhi, May 12: Deafening drumbeats thudded through the street and loud cheers rent the air as thousands of Congress supporters poured in at 10 Janpath to celebrate their leader Sonia Gandhi's landslide victory in the Rae Bareli Lok Sabha bye-election.

In an appearance that lasted less than a minute, Gandhi walked up to a makeshift barricaded enclosure, stood on the footrest of a Tata Safari vehicle and waved to the cheering crowds before returning inside her official residence.

The area surrounding 10 Janpath erupted with celebrations the moment TV channels began beaming the news of a comfortable lead for Gandhi in Rae Bareli.

"I am so happy. Her (Gandhi's) sacrifice has made her triumph again," screamed Leela Vati, a 52-year-old woman from Amethi, referring to the Congress president's resignation as a Lok Sabha member over the office of profit controversy.

Waving Congress flags, Gandhi's supporters marched from one end of the blocked-off street to the other as groups of young men and women danced to the drumbeats.

"She has again demolished her opponents. Long live Sonia Gandhi," shouted a grey-haired man from inside a car, recalling Gandhis rejection of the Prime Minister's post after leading the Congress to victory in the 2004 general elections.

Supporters set off fire crackers and littered Akbar Road, where the Congress headquarters is located, with flower petals as music blared from speakers mounted on cars even before the final result came in from Rae Bareli.

"Gandhi has shown her political genius. Its a thrilling moment," said 22-year-old Avinash Sharma, waving a party flag.