Saturday, April 9 2005 11:25 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Congress yesterday (Apr 8, 2005) sidestepped questions on the reported statement of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) Prime Minister Sikandar Hayat Khan that while Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi were present during the flagging of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus, leaders from Jammu and Kashmir were missing.

"I don't want to take risk of contradicting the statement of a foreign dignitary (Hayat Khan). But Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma, People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti, National Conference chief Omar Abdullah were present on the occasion", Chairperson of Party's media department Ambika Soni told reporters.

She said there were continuous effort for this yatra and coalition leaders (Congress, PDP and others) gave healing touch to the terror-affected people in the State. "I would be failing if I am not recognising their role in this historic event," Soni said.

Asked whether the reported low-key response Pakistani side would put a question mark on the continuation of this bus service, Soni who is the party in charge of the State affairs said, "It is our belief that emotional pressure from people is from everywhere and will inspire leaders from both the side (India and Pakistan) to sustain the service."

She also recalled Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's statement soon after flagging off the Bus service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad that the historic step would help in fostering peace and harmony between the two countries.