Kashmiris have voted for democracy, development: Sonia
May 23rd, 2011 - 3:45 pm ICT by IANS
Basholi (Jammu and Kashmir), May 23 (IANS) Congress chief Sonia Gandhi Monday hailed Kashmiris for the large turnout in the panchayat elections, saying it was a definitive message they had faith in democracy, peace and development.
“People here have demonstrated their courage in an exemplary fashion against the forces of violence and those behind the acts of terror,” Gandhi said, referring to the polls at a rally here after laying the foundation of a Rs.145 crore river bridge.
“It’s a historic moment, people through their large participation have demonstrated their unwavering faith in democracy,” said Gandhi, who is on her first visit to the state this year.
Kashmir is holding 16-phased panchayat polls which has so far seen more than 80 percent participation of voters.
“They have voted for democracy and development, to which both the United Progressive Alliance government (in New Delhi) and the state government are committed in full measure,” she said.
“Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah are working together on this,” she said. Congress is the junior ally in National Conference-led state government.
Without mentioning terrorists or separatists who had given a boycott call for the panchayat polls, Gandhi said voters have delivered a stunning message that they are for “peace and development”.
Basholi is in Kathua district. The 592-metre bridge over Ravi will connect Jammu and Kashmir with Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.
The Basohli bridge is going to be a technological marvel. It will be a cable-stayed bridge, similar to the second Hooghly bridge in Kolkota, the Naini Bridge in Uttar Pradesh’s Allahabad and the Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link in Mumbai.
The Basohli bridge will have a tower height of about 88 metres above deck level. The decking and the span regions will only be supported by cables. There will be 1.5-metre-wide footpaths on both the sides.
- Kashmiris have given fitting reply to terrorists: Sonia (Lead) - May 23, 2011
- Sonia Gandhi to kick-off work on new Kashmir bridge Monday - May 22, 2011
- Sonia visiting Jammu and Kashmir (Lead) - May 18, 2011
- Sonia visiting Jammu & Kashmir on Monday - May 18, 2011
- Power will shift from secretariat to panchayats: Omar - Jul 01, 2011
- Factionalism in Kashmir Congress as Sonia visits - May 23, 2011
- Relations with Congress perfect: Omar - Jun 11, 2011
- Maharashtra takes step forward on Mumbai-Raigad sea bridge - Nov 24, 2011
- Mexico sets world record for highest suspension bridge - Jan 07, 2012
- Fifth phase of panchayat polls begin in Kashmir - Apr 30, 2011
- High voting in Kashmir polls victory of peace: Soz - Apr 24, 2011
- Omar says Pakistan attack bad for India - May 23, 2011
- Sluggish voting in 11th phase of Kashmir panchayat polls - May 25, 2011
- Kashmir panchayat polls see large turnout again - May 04, 2011
- After successful election, 35,000 Kashmiri panchayat members to be trained - Nov 23, 2011
Tags: alliance government, cable stayed bridge, congress chief, deck level, democracy and development, democracy development, exemplary fashion, himachal pradesh, jammu and kashmir, manmohan singh, metre bridge, panchayat elections, prime minister manmohan, prime minister manmohan singh, progressive alliance, rajiv gandhi, river bridge, sea link, sonia gandhi, unwavering faith