"We stand alongside you," Farooq Abdullah had told Hurriyat.
Highlights
- "I'm telling Hurriyat to unite. We stand alongside you," Mr Abdullah said
- Mehbooba Mufti said National Conference can go to any extent for power
- The BJP has demanded withdrawal of security cover for Mr Abdullah
National Conference president Farooq Abdullah's recent remarks - expressing willingness to work with the Hurriyat conference for a resolution of Kashmir - has triggered a political storm. While many indicate that he was merely posturing to hit out at the government, the ruling PDP and the BJP have both taken exception to it.
One accused Mr Abdullah's party of supporting separatists and helping engineer the recent unrest in Kashmir and the other demanded that the government provided security to him be withdrawn.
"I am telling Hurriyat leaders to unite. We stand alongside you. We are not your enemy but we are not ready to tread the wrong path," Mr Abdullah said while addressing a gathering on the birth anniversary of his father and former Chief Minister Sheikh Abdullah.
Mr Abdullah's remarks have come been sharply criticised by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who accused the National Conference of fomenting trouble during the unrest in Kashmir that had gripped the state since the killing of terrorist Burhan Wani on July 8.
"The statement made by Farooq proves that the National Conference can go to any extent for power... He has directed his cadre to support separatists so that unrest can replace the normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir," said Ms Mufti.
PDP ally BJP has also joined the chorus. Terming Mr Abdullah's statement "anti-national", the BJP has demanded the withdrawal of security cover for the former Chief Minister.
"It is very unfortunate and we would advise him that he should immediately release his security that he enjoys from the Government of India and all the expenditure from Government of India. He doesn't deserve such facilities and it should be totally withdrawn," said state BJP spokesperson Arun Gupta.