J&K turnout a vote for democracy: PM, Sonia

Singh and Gandhi said who wins in Jammu and Kashmir is a "secondary issue" and what matters is 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 a secondary issue," Singh told reporters on the sidelines of a function to mark the 123rd Foundation Day of the Congress Party.

Echoing the Prime Minister's remarks, Gandhi said "I have been saying from the very beginning that it doesn't 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 neighbours."

Gandhi said she had been in favour of timely elections from the very beginning.

"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," the Congress President said.

The uproar over the allotment of forest land to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board and subsequent political upheaval had led to Governor's Rule in the state and raised doubts over timely conduct of elections.