Reacting sharply to calls warnings issued by MehboobaMufti against the deployment of additional troops in Jammu and Kashmir, and forher scathing views on Article 35A, Bharatiya Janata Party national generalsecretary Ram Madhav said on Wednesday that the PDP chief is trying to remainrelevant in politics by trying to create panic among locals in the state.

Mehbooba has been extremely critical of Centre's decision todeploy additional troops in J&K, done to enhance the security situationhere. She, however, has said that all parties in the state must unite againstthis move. "Local political leaders are creating an environment of fearhere (J&K) for their selfish motives. Steps being taken by the Centre arein accordance with the situation here. Security forces being deployed or takenback from J&K, especially Kashmir, is a continuous process," he said."She (Mehbooba) using is trying to keep herself politically relevant. Toprotect their slipping political base, fear is being created among people.We've to take forward work going on in J&K. Assembly polls have to beconducted."

Madhav also said that Mehbooba's grip in her own partyappears to be slipping. "Not even people from her own party come to hermeetings, not even on its Foundation Day," he said.

PDP and BJP had formed a coalition government in the statebefore the parties had a bitter fallout. Allegations and counter-allegationshave been numerous since even as J&K remains under President's Rule. Thewar of words between leaders of both parties may only intensify with thepossibility of polls in the state by late 2018.