Sonia Gandhi asks separatists to rejoin democratic process

Srinagar, Feb 14 (ANI): United Progressive Alliance Chairperson Sonia Gandhi has asked the separatists in Jammu and Kashmir to rejoin the democratic process.

Inaugurating the maiden international flight of Air India Express from Srinagar to Dubai and rail service from Baramulla to Budgam here today, Sonia Gandhi said, "The separatists should learn lessons from the massive participation of people in elections and they should leave the path of violence and adopt a democratic way."

"People will shun violence and disruption and opt for democracy and development as proved by the well participated elections in the state recently," added Gandhi.

Ignoring the separatists call to boycott the recent assembly elections, the Kashmiris had come out and voted in large numbers.

Appreciating the response of the people of the valley, Gandhi said that they have justified the democratic system of the nation by actively participating in the polls and asserted that those indulging in violence in the state and elsewhere in the country were not the actual well wishers of the people.

After the elections, a National Conference (NC) and Congress coalition government was formed in Jammu and Kashmir headed by Omar Abdullah.

The National Conference had won 28 of the assembly's 87 seats, the Congress 17, the People's Democratic Party 21,Bharatiya Janata Party 11 and other parties and independents won 10 seats in the Assembly elections. (ANI)