Akbar Road in the leafy central Delhi was the scene of a celebration the Congress party would want to replicate across India under its new president, Rahul Gandhi.
Hundreds of jubilant party workers, some of them dressed in their region's traditional outfits, beat 'dhols' and burst firecrackers to welcome their new chief today. Women played with 'gulal' and young party workers danced to the beats of 'dhols'.
Congressmen and women were so determined in celebrating the elevation of Rahul Gandhi that the outgoing Congress chief, Sonia Gandhi, had to pause her farewell speech thrice.
Some of the workers felt that the glory and buzz witnessed at the Akbar Road office of the party, which once ruled the length and breadth of India, was seen after a long time.
Soon after Rahul Gandhi was handed over a formal certificate by party's election authority, Sonia Gandhi rose to speak. She, however, had to repeatedly stop in the middle of her speech, distracted by the bursting of crackers outside.
"I can't speak... my voice... I have to shout and when I shout my voice goes," Sonia Gandhi said.
At one time, Rahul Gandhi had to signal to the crowd to stop bursting firecrackers, after the workers did not yield to appeals by other Congress leaders, including general secretary Janardan Dwivedi.
The day had begun with a playful chaos outside the venue. And it witnessed unprecedented rush throughout the big day.
Many posters and banners were put up in Lutyens' Delhi.
Several senior Congress leaders, including former Union ministers and former chief ministers, queued up outside various entry points of the party office. Many, however, could not not make it to the venue on time and could not witnessed the moment.
A former Union minister lost his iPhone amid the chaos.
Rahul Gandhi, 47, before making his first address as the Congress chief, sought blessings from her mother. He also kissed her on her forehead.
He took charge of the Congress party in presence of Sonia Gandhi, sister Priyanka Gandhi-Vadra and her husband Robert Vadra, former prime minister Manmohan Singh and other senior party leaders.
Heavy security arrangement was made in and around the party headquarters.
For her contribution to the party, steering it for the last 19 years as its chief, Sonia Gandhi was presented with a memento by former prime minister Manmohan Singh. She was also presented with a shawl by senior Congress leader Motilal Vora.
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