Delhi Voters Point to the Need for BJP 'Course Correction', Says PDP Patron Mufti Sayeed

The results of Delhi elections call for a "course correction" for prospective partner BJP, People's Democratic Party patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said today.

In the backdrop of ongoing talks about government formation in Jammu and Kashmir, he also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should take the initiative to keep the nation on the path of "tolerance, diversity and communal harmony".

"Modi must take lead in disciplining elements who had started conveying a different idea about the idea of India," Mr Mufti said. "If there ever was a need for course correction for BJP, the voters of Delhi have brought it home to them loud and clear."

Jammu and Kashmir has been under Governor's Rule following a fractured mandate in the assembly elections held last year. The alliance talks between the two parties have been on a standstill due to the Delhi elections.

The party had earlier said the BJP's crushing defeat will not have any effect on the government formation. But party spokesman Naeem Akhtar had pointed out the need to recognize the import of the mandate.

"This is a loud and clear message to all political parties that pople are supreme. They have shown it time and again, and they have had their reasons for it," he said.

The PDP won 28 seats in the 87-member assembly, mostly from Kashmir. The BJP won 25 seats from Jammu and Ladakh. While an alliance between the two parties will make for a representative government, the supporters of either may not be too pleased by the tie-up.

While exploring a possible alliance, the PDP made a number of demands - including initiation of talks with Pakistan and Kashmiri separatists, a timeline on the revocation of the controversial Armed Forces' Special Powers Act and the non-revocation of Constitution's Article 370, which grants special powers to the state.

The BJP has had a different stance on the demands for years.

But in the recent election for four seats in Rajya Sabha, the BJP won just one seat in face of PDP's two, giving the upper hand to the regional party. And now, the results in Delhi are expected to further affect its bargaining power.