BJP accuses Mehbooba Mufti of pursuing 'soft-separatism' to win polls

A day after former J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti dubbed local militants as "sons of the soil", senior BJP leader Kavinder Gupta accused her of pursuing "soft-separatism" to win "communal sympathy" ahead of the upcoming state assembly and Lok Sabha polls.

Gupta, the deputy chief minister in Mufti's Cabinet, also blamed the National Conference and Congress for the turmoil in the valley, alleging that the three parties are supporting anti-national elements to polarise voters.

It is the former chief minister's frustration that she has started speaking the language of separatists, the BJP leader said, adding the BJP government at the Centre is ready for dialogue with anyone who is ready to hold talks as per the Constitution of India.

Mufti described Tuesday the local militants as "sons of the soil", saying that the Centre should initiate dialogue with the militant leadership to end the "gun culture".

Gupta also lashed out at his former Cabinet boss, saying Mufti has "humiliated the