Basholi (Jammu and Kashmir), May 23 (IANS) Congress president Sonia Gandhi Monday said the overwhelming participation of the people in the Jammu and Kashmir panchayat elections was a fitting reply to terrorists and those who backed them.

"The way you have come forward to vote in the elections, you have rebuffed terrorism and the forces backing this ugly phenomenon who were seeking to weaken us and our system," she said addressing a gathering here after laying the foundation of a bridge across river Ravi that will connect the state with Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.

She was accompanied by Defence Minister A.K. Antony, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, New and Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

While laying the foundation of the Rs.145 crore, 592-meter-long bridge that is expected to be a technological marvel, she complimented the Border Roads Organisation for doing "yeoman's service".

Referring to the panchayat polls, Sonia Gandhi said the "overwhelming participation of people is a fitting reply to terrorists and their ways".

"It's a historic moment, people through their large participation have demonstrated their unwavering faith in democracy," said Sonia Gandhi, who is on her first visit to the state this year.

Kashmir is holding 16-phased panchayat polls which has so far seen more than 80 percent participation of voters.

"They have voted for democracy and development, to which both the United Progressive Alliance government (in New Delhi) and the state government are committed in full measure," she said.

"Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah are working together on this," she said. Congress is the junior ally in National Conference-led state government.

Without mentioning the separatists who had given a boycott call for the panchayat polls, Gandhi said voters have delivered a stunning message that they are for "peace and development".

Basholi is in Kathua district.

The Basholi bridge will be a cable-stayed bridge, similar to the second Hooghly bridge in Kolkata, the Naini Bridge in Uttar Pradesh's Allahabad and the Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link in Mumbai.

It will have a tower height of about 88 metres above deck level. The decking and the span regions will only be supported by cables. There will be 1.5-metre-wide footpaths on both sides.