PM’s
STATEMENT ON J & K POLL RESULTS
The Prime Minister
Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee has congratulated the people of Jammu
& Kashmir for their enthusiastic participation in the recent
Assemble election. In a statement issued from Copenhagen Shri
Vajpayee called it a vote for Kashmiriyat and a vote against Pak
sponsored Terrorism.
Following is the
text of the statement by Prime Minister:
"The people
of Jammu & Kashmir have given their verdict, and the winner,
clearly, is India’s democracy.
Both before and
during the course of the elections to the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly,
I had stated that irrespective of which candidate or party won,
the vote would be for India’s unity, integrity and democracy,
it would be a vote for Kashmiriyat, and it would be a vote against
Pak-sponsored terrorism and Pakistan’s anti-India propaganda.
Our stand has
been resoundingly vindicated both by people’s enthusiastic participation
and by the outcome of the polls.
Before the start
of the electoral process, we had pledged that the elections would
be free and fair. This promise, too, has been fulfilled. Braving
the reign of terror unleashed by Pakistan-backed terrorist outfits,
and disregarding the call for boycott of the polls, the people
of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh participated in the elections in
large numbers.
I send my hearty
congratulations to the courageous and patriotic people of all
the three regions of the State. I would also like to assure that
the Centre would work in close cooperation with the elected representatives
in Srinagar to fulfill the aspirations of the people."
