Jammu and Kashmir minister Gulam Ahmed Mir today appealed to the electorate to vote for secular parties to sweep away communal forces from the country and said Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi "is a hope for young Indians".
"These elections are the battle between communal and secular forces... The people should cast their votes in favour of the secular voice so that communal forces are swept away from India and Jammu and Kashmir once and for all," state's Tourism Minister Mir said at a rally here.
"Development of the country, especially Jammu and Kashmir, has always been the primary focus of the UPA government under the able leadership of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi... Rahul is seen as a hope for young Indians," Mir said.
Mir said the country needs secular hands and the time has come to strengthen the secular front and urged the people to cast their votes in favour of Congress-NC coalition candidate Mehboob Beigh.
The Tourism Minister said the people should not forget the magnanimity of the UPA government which has done a tremendous job for the development of the country, especially Jammu and Kashmir. "The time has come now to reciprocate and ensure victory for the secular forces in Jammu and Kashmir," he said.
