Kiev, March 31 (IANSivisions and said that the lives of people in south India was important to the Congress and Gandhi.

Asked about the Left parties being an adversary of Congress in Wayanad, Surjewala said "this is not a fight with left or right".

"This is a fight to espouse the aspirations of south India including Kerala to fight, to give befitting reply to forces who are attacking the culture, language, way of life, deep connect between north and south India which the BJP and Prime Minister have created a deep divide.

"This is a fight to give message to people of south India that they are deeply valued and respected. That their culture, language, way of life, food habits, clothes, entire way of life is important to Congress and people of India asA a unified country. That's why he (Gandhi) said 'I will represent Amethi but I will also represent southern states for they represent an important part of India's way of life, India's way forward'," Surjewala said.

He said no one should question the wisdom of the people of Amethi who have in the past elected late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

"They know that the country and Amethi will progress with Gandhi."

On Irani's remarks that Rahul Gandhi was running away from Amethi, he said that she will complete hat-trick of defeat in this election having earlier lost from Chandni Chowk also.

Asked which seat will Gandhi retain if he wins both in Amethi and Wayanad, Surjewala said that when the Congress forms a government following the polls, the party President will represent the entire country.

The Wayanad Lok Sabha Assembly segments has seven assembly constituencies including three from from Wayanad district, one from Kozikode and three from Malappuram.

The assembly segments are Mananthavady, Sulthanbathery and Kalpetta in Wayanad, Thiruvambadi in Kozhikode and Ernad, Nilambur and Wandoor in Malappuram.

Senior leaders Ahmed Patel and K.C. Venugopal were also present at the press conference.

--IANS ps/ksk