Giving a stern warning to Pakistan, Congress President Sonia Gandhi said, "Let me make it clear to our neighbouring country (Pakistan) that we have all the competence and power to give a befitting reply to the use of its soil by terrorists, who mount assaults on India."

While speaking at an election rally in Suchetgarh, 30 km west of Jammu, she further said, "Our intention to settle issues through dialogue and mutual cooperation should not be misunderstood as our weakness."

Also praising the people of Jammu and Kashmir for voting, despite the poll boycott call, Sonia said that it was a vote against separatism and asked its exponents to give up.

She further said, "It was a vote against separatism. I congratulate the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Separatists should now respect and bow before the verdict of the people."

She added that the people have asserted their full faith in democracy by taking part in the elections and their respect has increased further across the country and the world. She also appealed to them to create a record by casting their votes in the largest number, in the final phase.

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said in Kolkota, "India is not a soft state. Its citizens will do everything necessary to keep terrorism and terrorists at bay. Muslims should not be branded terrorists or anti-nationals. Just look at who fought against the terrorists in Mumbai. Mumbai Police Commissioner Hasan Gafoor is a Muslim and no less than 40 Muslims were killed in the recent terror strike."

Mukherjee said, while rebuking Pakistan for its continuous denial that its soil was being used to harbour/train terrorists, "Don't indulge in flat denials. It leads nowhere. We want the Pakistani government to fulfill the commitment it made to us. Nothing more, nothing less."