As CM, Mehbooba betrayed nation wearing nationalist mask, should be tried treason: BJP

The Jammu and Kashmir BJP Thursday alleged that Mehbooba Mufti carried out anti-national activities and promoted a pro-Pakistan agenda in the state as the chief minister of the BJP-PDP government, and demanded she be probed and tried for treason.

BJP spokesman Brig (Retd) Anil Gupta, whose party was an ally in the government headed by Mehbooba, alleged that as the CM she played divisive and communal politics in Jammu and pursued the agenda of separatists in Kashmir.

"It was for this reason that she held the Home portfolio (as well) and did not even have a Minister of State despite the state being infested with terrorism," he charged in a statement.

Mehbooba served as the first woman CM of the state from April 4, 2016 to June 19, 2018 before the BJP pulled out of the alliance, citing discrimination with the Jammu and Ladakh regions.

"While she was wearing the mask of a nationalist and occupied the highest chair in government, she actually was betraying the nation by carrying out anti-national activities and compromising the national interests," Gupta said.

He also said when it became obvious she was playing a "double-game", the BJP lost no time to "disgrace her by withdrawing from the coalition".

He said her role in the killing last year of journalist Sujaat Bukhari also needs to be investigated as he reportedly met her a couple of days earlier and apprised her of the threat to his life.

Referring to the statements of the PDP chief allegedly boasting about preventing the Centre from acting against the Hurriyat and the Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), forcing the release of first-time stone pelters and cessation of military operations during 'Ramzan', Gupta said it was a clear cut case of "betrayal" of faith the Union government imposed in her as the Chief Minister of a state.

After the Centre banned the JeI, Mehbooba had said, "We had not allowed the BJP to do whatever it is doing now. But unfortunately there is no one to stop them (now)."
The BJP spokesman added, "A thorough investigation should be held on her role as a chief minister and the harm she has done to the nation. Based on the findings of the investigation, she should be tried for treason,"