Copenhagen: Declaring that Assembly poll verdict in Jammu and Kashmir was against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee said the Centre would work in "close co-operation" with elected representatives of the state to fulfil the aspirations of the people.

Congratulating the "courageous and patriotic" electorate of Kashmir Valley, Jammu and Ladakh, he said, "Before the start of the electoral process, we had pledged that the elections would be free and fair. This promise, too, has been fulfilled."

Vajpayee, who is in Copenhagen to attend the India-EU Summit, said, "The people of J and K have given their verdict. And the winner, clearly, is India's Democracy".

In a statement, he said, "I would also like to assure that the Centre would work in close co-operation with the elected representatives in Srinagar to fulfil the aspirations of the people."

The Prime Minister said that before and during the course of the Assembly election he had stated that irrespective of which candidate or party won, "it would be a vote for Kashmiriyat, and it would be vote against Pak-sponsored terrorism and Pakistan's anti-India propaganda".

"Our stand has been resoundingly vindicated both by people's enthusiastic participation and by the outcome of the polls," he said.

He said braving the reign of terror unleashed by Pakistan-backed terrorist outfits, and disregarding the call for boycott of the polls, the people of the state's three regions participated in the polls in large numbers.

PTI