NEW DELHI: When Congress President Rahul Gandhi was asked why he decided to contest Lok Sabha polls from Wayanad in Kerala, he said it was because the people in south India feel "hostility" from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and he wanted to send the message that he and his party stand with them.

"There is a feeling in South India, a very strong feeling in South India, that they are not being carried (along) by the current government. South India feels hostility from Mr. Narendra Modi, they feel that they are not being included in the decisions of the country," Gandhi said.

"So, I wanted to send a message to South India that we are with you and I am standing with you. That is why I am standing from Kerala," he said.

Gandhi was taking questions after the launch of Congress manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections.

The Congress announced on Sunday that party chief Gandhi will contest from Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency in Kerala, besides his traditional stronghold of Amethi in Uttar Pradesh.

The Congress' announcement that the party chief will contest from Wayanad evoked sharp reactions from the Left and Right of the political spectrum. The CPI(M) and CPI said the move signalled the Congress wanted to take on the Left which would work towards defeating him in the elections from Wayanad.

Citing Left's response and also his attack on TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, when Gandhi was asked if the Congress has decided to go solo as much as it can, dodging the question he said his party has sealed alliances across India, including Bihar, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.

The Congress is hoping to further consolidate its position this time in Kerala. Top Congress leaders have contested from the South earlier as well.

Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi has in the past contested from the Bellary Lok Sabha seat in Karnataka, while Rahul Gandhi's grandmother, former prime minister Indira Gandhi, contested from Chikamangalur in Karnataka.

Wayanad district is in the north eastern part of Kerala and houses various tribal groups of the state. The area was badly affected due to last year's floods.