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Indian Congress party President Sonia Gandhi Wednesday praised Kashmiri people for participating in huge numbers in the ongoing local elections in Indian-controlled Kashmir.
Gandhi addressed a rally in Shangus area, about 84 km south of Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.
"I salute your spirit that you have showed during participation in the elections," Gandhi said. "You have been participating in the elections despite the testing times you are going through after the devastating flood."
She was seeking mandate for her party in the upcoming local elections.
Gandhi's party was decimated in India's general elections this year by right-wing Hindu nationalist Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP).
Congress party lost elections after ruling India for two consecutive terms and is currently India's main opposition party.
The Indian election commission has conducted three phases of five-phase staggered polls in the restive region. The first two phases recorded a huge turnout of over 70 percent, while as the third phase recorded over 58 percent.
The voters ignored the boycott call from separatist and militant groups and turned out in thousands to exercise their franchise.
Gandhi slammed BJP for not helping the region in rehabilitation post floods.
"At the time of earthquake in Uri (in 2005), the Congress-led government supported the state in rehabilitation of the affected families and the relief work was carried out swiftly but this time BJP government at the helm is not keen on rehabilitating the flood affected families here," Gandhi told rally.
Indian-controlled Kashmir is reeling under devastation and destruction wreaked by floods in the month of September. The floods inflicted an estimated loss of 16 billion U.S. dollars on the region and killed more than 280 people.
Indian-controlled Kashmir is a Muslim majority region. Though there are some regional parties that usually have main role in government making, this year BJP is aiming at winning 44 plus seats in the 87-strong assembly (lawmaking body).
The top BJP leaders are visiting the region to woo voters to their side. On Monday Indian Prime Minister addressed a rally in Srinagar amid unprecedented security measures asking people to vote his party to power in the region.
Militants challenging New Delhi's rule in the restive region are fighting guerrilla war since 1989 with Indian troops. The gunfight between the two sides took place intermittently.
Separatist groups and militants opposing New Delhi's rule in the region reject Indian elections and have urged people to boycott the exercise and stay away from polls.
