Kolkata, March 25 (IANS): With a storm and rain playing spoilsport, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi left without addressing party workers at the Shahid Minar Maidan here Tuesday.

The storm - locally called 'norwester' which is common at this time of the year - uprooted the wires of loudspeakers, overturned tables and chairs and tore apart the cloth used to set up a canopy.

Congress supporters, who had gathered in strength, ran helter and skelter in the rains and the venue became nearly vacant.

After Gandhi's chopper landed at the nearby race course, a few hundred party workers who had stayed back despite the inclement weather seemed enthusiastic.

Gandhi drove to the venue along with party general secretary Shakil Ahmed Khan, state party chief Adhir Chowdhury and other leaders. He climbed on to the dais and waved at the workers, who reciprocated with applause.

He later came down to the ground, mingled with the crowd and shook hands before again going up the dais. Gandhi left after spending a few minutes at the dais.