PM CONGRATULATES J&K VOTERS
The Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari
Vajpayee has extended hearty congratulations to the people of
Jammu & Kashmir for the courage and conviction with which
they have participated in the two rounds of polling in the state.
The following is the text of statement of the Prime Minister issued
at Maldives today:-
"My dear compatriots in Jammu &
Kashmir, accept my hearty congratulations for the courage and
conviction with which you have participated in the first two rounds
of polling in the elections to the Legislative Assembly of your
State.
All the people in the rest of our
country join me in saying, with admiration and thanks, "Salaam"
to you.
We in India have seen many elections.
But rarely has there been an election in which the voters have
had to brave threats to their very lives just to exercise their
fundamental right; in which the vote is not so much for this or
that party, not for this or that candidate, but for democracy
and national unity. Irrespective of who wins, it is clear to the
whole world that, in Jammu & Kashmir, the ballot is winning
a resounding victory over the bullet.
Since the elections were announced
on August 22, there have been as many as 400 incidents of terrorist
violence, in which 37 political activists, including two candidates,
have been killed. Sixty security personnel also have lost their
lives and over 100 others have been injured.
The successful anti-terrorist operation
in Srinagar this morning was a yet another reminder of the lethal
plans of anti-India and anti-democracy forces to sabotage the
polls. I take this opportunity to express our appreciation and
gratitude to all those security and administration personnel who
worked for the smooth conduct of polling in the State.
By answering fear with fortitude,
you have foiled the sinister designs of those indulging in terrorism,
and their patrons across the border. They did everything to subvert
the polls – kill candidates, intimidate voters and threaten polling
personnel. Their description of the polling in Jammu & Kashmir
so far a "sham" shows nothing but their growing frustration.
Before the start of the electoral
process, we had pledged that the elections in Jammu & Kashmir
would be free and fair. The first two round of polling are a proof
that, with your cooperation, we have redeemed that pledge. I am
confident that the remaining part of the election would further
reinforce its positive message and open a new chapter of peace
and development in the history of your State".
