Ramban : Claiming that it was a direct fight between PDP and BJP in Jammu and Kashmir, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday hit out at the saffron outfit and said it was using "negative tactics" to improve its numbers in the assembly.

"The current electoral contest is directly between PDP and BJP, but the BJP is unfortunately using negative tactics to somehow improve its numbers in the assembly," Mehbooba said at a public meeting at Ramban.

Mehbooba, who is on the campaign trail in Chenab valley, said, "The people of Jammu and Kashmir have always resisted such forces and they will continue to do so this time under the banner of the PDP which is duty bound to address all their political and developmental issues."

She said "we have to preserve the secular ethos of J&K and the state must continue to be an example of tolerance and harmony", and asserted her party will forcefully resist any move that can have a negative impact on its distinct identity.

She said the people have to be cautious about the forces who are hell bent upon damaging the secular fabric and basic character of the state by trying to polarise the state with an eye on the forthcoming assembly elections.

Mehbooba said PDP under the leadership of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed is formed to represent and accommodate the different regions and communities of the state, and it will continue with its mission to address the people's issues and work for the permanent peace and development in the region.

Mehbooba said Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions are a part of a bouquet and it must continue to be like that and the PDP will nurture that idea at any cost.

"The expanding platform in the form of PDP has become popular in all the regions and communities by way of its pro-people policies and clean politics," she said and added that at the popular level the party has replaced the National Conference and Congress who have failed to serve the people in spite of getting a long lease in power since Independence.