Don't ignore message in AAP's landslide victory, Sayeed tells BJP

Jammu, Feb 10 (IANS) Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Muhammad Sayeed Tuesday congratulated AAP on its landslide victory while advising the BJP not to ignore the message of India's unity in diversity contained in the verdict by Delhi voters.

While greeting Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal, Sayeed in a statement issued here said: "The Delhi elections have asserted the diversity of our country and the need to respect it which the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) should learn not to ignore."

"The youngest party (AAP) deserves the heartiest congratulations and best wishes from every citizen of the country. The BJP which has emerged as the most prominent force in the country in the last general elections needs to introspect and absorb the message from Delhi electorate with sublimity," he said.

Sayeed, a former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, called it "heartening" to see the people "belonging to different sections of the society closing their ranks to give democracy a push, the BJP would do well to rein in the elements those had started feeling free to indulge in divisive language and actions".

"If there ever was a need for course correction for BJP, the voters of Delhi have brought it home to them loud and clear."

He said the results in Delhi are a reminder of the fact that India is a country of diverse religious and cultural strains and the people of the capital city have restated that fact in the most emphatic way.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi, must take lead in disciplining these elements who had started conveying a different idea about the idea of India so that the country forges ahead along its ethos of tolerance, diversity and communal harmony," Sayeed said.

He said the AAP has truly touched the right chord among the various sections of the people living in the metropolitan culture of Delhi, and in a way its resounding success indicates the real aspiration of the people who want to live life of dignity away from discord and disruption.

Sayeed said it also underlines the need to improve the delivery system at the common man's level who should feel the relief in daily life whether it is seeking a water connection, electric connection, driving licence, ration without hassles and without paying bribe.