: Celebrations broke out in this hilly constituency and rest of Kerala Sunday as Congress cadres burst crackers, distributed sweets and raised slogans praising Rahul Gandhi after the announcement that he would contest from here in the Lok Sabha elections.
The announcement of Gandhi contesting from Wayanad, known for its picturesque locales and spices, as a second seat apart from his traditional stronghold of Amethi in Uttar Pradesh was made by veteran party leader A K Antony in New Delhi Sunday.
As the television channels focused on the expected decision on Gandhi's candidature from Wayanad, the party cadres and leaders here waited with their fingers crossed.
When the much-awaited announcement finally came, the party activists, who gathered at the district committee office, were overcome by joy.
The jubilant workers, who were glued to the television, jumped with joy, hugged each other and danced.
Besides Congress activists, the workers of some coalition partners also took out marches through the streets of the high range parliament constituency, which shares border with Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, holding Gandhi's photos and posters.
Sweets were distributed in Congress offices across the state also.
An excited Wayanad District Congress Committee president I C Balakrishnan said the party cadres were overjoyed as the AICC chief had accepted their request.
"It was true we had some anxiety as the decision had got prolonged.. but, as disciplined party activists, we have waited patiently...and now Rahulji has realised our sentiments," he told reporters here.
On the poll preparations, he said the party was all set for the fight and just waiting for Gandhi's consent.
"We will soon launch massive road shows, house visits and door-to-door campaigns...our activists are all excited to work for the historic victory of Gandhi with a record majority," Balakrishnan added.
Sharing his happiness, young leader T Siddique, whose name was initially proposed as candidate in Wayanad, said it was a 'proud moment' for him as a party activist.
"I am feeling elated... its a proud moment...Rahulji's decision is a surgical strike against BJP's dubious plans to come back to power again," he claimed.
Besides Kerala, the Congress state units in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka had demanded that the party president contest the Lok Sabha elections from their respective states.
The party, which is contesting 16 out of 20 Lok Sabha seats in Kerala in the polls on April 23, had earlier announced candidates for 14 constituencies, leaving out Wayanad and Vadakara.
Former chief minister and AICC Secretary Oommen Chandy had first put forward the request from Kerala for Gandhi to contest from Waynad.
This was seconded by Leader of the Opposition in the assembly Ramesh Chennithala and KPCC President Mullapally Ramachandran.
Though the senior leaders of the state had last week itself requested the AICC chief to contest from Wayand, a Congress bastion, Gandhi had not indicated his response.
When the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF and BJP-headed NDA went ahead with the campaign, the Congress activists in Wayanad were in a dilemma since the announcement on Gandhi's candidature was being delayed.
Even the Congress-led UDF's coalition partners like Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) had expressed displeasure over the delay and opined that it would negatively impact the chances of the front in other constituencies also.
Congress leader M I Shanavas, who died in November last year, had won Wayanad constituency in the previoustwo Lok Sabaha elections (in 2009 aned 2014).
The LDF has decided to field CPIs PP Suneer in the constituency this time, while BJP-NDA is yet to announce its candidate.
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