The Hindu : A vote for India's unity: PM

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Oct 11, 2002

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A vote for India's unity: PM

By Amit Baruah

COPENHAGEN Oct. 10. The Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, said today that the vote in Jammu and Kashmir was for India's unity, Kashmiriyat and against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and Islamabad's anti-India propaganda.

In a statement here, he said: ``Before the start of the electoral process, we had pledged that the elections would be free and fair. This promise, too, has been fulfilled.''

``I would also like to assure that the Centre would work in close cooperation with the elected representatives in Srinagar to fulfil the aspirations of the people.''

``The people of Jammu and Kashmir have given their verdict. And the winner, clearly, is India's democracy,'' Mr. Vajpayee said while extending his ``hearty congratulations'' to the ``courageous and patriotic'' people of all the three regions of the State.

``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 against Pak.-sponsored terrorism and Pakistan's anti-India propaganda.''

``Braving the reign of terror unleashed by Pakistan-backed terrorist outfits and disregarding the call for the boycott of the polls, the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh participated in the elections in large numbers,'' Mr. Vajpayee said.

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