Sonia asks separatists to participate in democratic process

Poonch, Jun 20: United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson and Congress president Sonia Gandhi today asked separatist leaders to participate in roundtables and other democratic processes.

While addressing a public rally here after flagging off the Poonch-Rawalkote bus service from Chakan-Da-Bagh, Ms Gandhi raised questions over the intention of separatist who rejected the Centre's invitation to participate in the two round-table conferences held at New Delhi and Srinagar.

Ms Gandhi said, ''the people of the state should ask the separatists how they want to solve their problems if they are not ready to come to the negotiating table and participate in any democratic process like talks and elections.'' ''The representatives should take part in the round-table conferences organised by the Centre and put forth their views,'' she added.

''Dialogue is the only process that can solve all issues and Prime Minister Mamohan Singh is triying to bring the people out of the bloodshed,'' she said.

She applauded the Centre and the state government for initiating the peace process.

''Peace process and confidence building measures are the need of the hour. The Centre and the state government are exploring all possibilities of trade and tourism via Poonch and Rawalakote route,'' the Congress president added.

Ms Gandhi pledged the UPA government's support for the development of the strife-torn state.

UNI