Jammu, Sep 27 (IANS) Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi Tuesday promised that his party will work for the equitable development of all regions of Jammu and Kashmir.


"We want the people of Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir to move lockstep in development," he told a gathering of village elders here on the last day of his two-day visit to the state.

He underlined that economic development and employment opportunities will be available to the people of these regions in equal measure.

Addressing students at another function here, Gandhi urged them to join the Youth Congress and participate in the democratic process in a big way.

Dressed in his trademark white kurta-payjama, he said: "The youth must realise and recognise that they are the architects of a new and bright future of the country.”

On his arrival here, Gandhi was given a rousing reception by Congress activists. He came from Srinagar and flew to Rajouri, some 160 km north of here.

Addressing a meeting of youths, Gandhi asked them to join the party, saying the Congress will protect their interests.

"I am one of you," he told the gathering in Rajouri, located less than 20 km from the Line of Control (LoC) that divides Jammu and Kashmir between India and Pakistan.

Earlier Tuesday, he had a breakfast meeting with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

"The two discussed matters ... including the functioning of the (National Conference-Congress) coalition government," a spokesperson said.

On Monday, he interacted with the students of Kashmir University, addressed village elders of the Kashmir Valley, and visited the Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar.