Date:29/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/29/stories/2008122959051000.htm

National

A vote for democracy: PM

Vinay Kumar

A lesson to be learnt by our neighbour, says Sonia Gandhi

— Photo: V.V.Krishnan

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi at the 123rd foundation day of the Indian National Congress at the AICC headquarters in New Delhi on Sunday.

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Sunday hailed the Jammu and Kashmir election results as a “vote for democracy.”

In an apparent reference to Pakistan, Ms. Gandhi said it was a “lesson to be learnt by our neighbour.”

Both Dr. Singh and Ms Gandhi said it was a “secondary issue” as to who emerged victorious in the State. What mattered was that the people have expressed faith in the democratic system.

“The large turnout of voters is a vote for democracy. It is a vote for national integration. As far as who wins or who loses is concerned, it is a secondary issue,” Dr. Singh told reporters on the sidelines of a function to mark the 123rd foundation day of the Congress.

Ms Gandhi said:

“I have been saying from the very beginning that it does not matter who wins. What matters is that the people of the Valley, the people of Jammu, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have placed their full faith in the democratic system, which is a lesson to be learnt by our neighbour.

“I have been saying from the very beginning that elections should be held in time and I am glad that they were held in time.”

Bharatiya Janata Party president Rajnath Singh described the results as “very encouraging” for the party. He said the BJP would not have any tie-up with any other political formulation, but would serve as an effective Opposition.

Congress general secretary Prithviraj Chavan said the party was interested in giving Jammu and Kashmir the “most stable government.”

Mr. Chavan, who is party general secretary in-charge of Jammu and Kashmir affairs, said a stable government could be considered only with the participation of the Congress. If the Amarnath Shrine Board land row had not taken place, the party would have done well in the polls.

Communist Party of India national secretary and MP D. Raja said it was a “victory for democracy” in Jammu and Kashmir, where despite boycott call given by separatists, people came out in large numbers to cast their vote. “Now it is time for the political parties to respond,” he added.