New Delhi:
A day after Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party stunned with an impressive debut in Delhi, NCP leader and Union minister Praful Patel has said that AAP has legitimacy without responsibility. "This is an interesting election in the sense that while Congress has been a loser in all four states... it's not a complete reflection of what people think that this is a positive vote only for BJP or any individual. In fact, AAP has got a lot of the negative vote," he told NDTV.
His comment came hours after Agriculture Minister and his party's chief Sharad Pawar offered a damaging assessment.
"While the Congress has lost much ground in the assembly elections held in Delhi and four other states, we too need to think over the outcome seriously. The new generation, the young voters had their say in these elections and they have given a clear indication of their anger through ballot. They want leaders who are decisive about their stands and the policies that will benefit the people and do not hesitate to roll out such policies," the Union minister said in his blog.
Mr Pawar also said that the weak leadership has led to the rise of what he called 'pseudo activist' who has no connection with ground reality, but manages to influence people and the media with unrealistic ideas and promises.
Mr Patel added, "There is a need for decisive leadership. It is expected out of any government and it is necessary for giving them direction."
Commenting on Mr Pawar's blog, Mr Patel said it was time for a course correction. "I'm not saying (Mr.) Pawar meant to speak about an individual. But collectively as a government, things have gone wrong. It's time to make amends."
Delhi's election has thrown up a mixed mandate with BJP emerging as the single largest party with 32 seats (along with ally Akali Dal), while Aam Aadmi Party is a close second with 28 seats. Yet, neither has the numbers to get a simple majority of 36 seats needed to form the government.