New Delhi: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday hit back at BJP chief Amit Shah over his remark of abrogating Article 370, which grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir and limits Parliament's power to make laws concerning the state. While taking on Shah for recently underscoring BJP’s commitment to scrap the Article, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief ended up giving a controversial statement, that by doing so India will turn into an occupational force in the state.

Speaking at an election rally Mufti said, “Amit Shah Sahab, Mehbooba Mufti aap se keh rahi hai, jis din aap 370 ko khatam karoge, you will be an occupational force in Jammu and Kashmir.”

Stirring controversy, she said that if the Article is abolished then India will be to Kashmir what Israel is to Palestine.

“Just like, Israel is an occupational force in Palestine, India will also turn into an occupational force in Jammu and Kashmir” she said.

Mufti was reacting to the reported remarks of BJP president Amit Shah underscoring his party's commitment to abrogating  Article 370 and Article 35-A , which hold special provisions for Jammu and Kashmir.

While Article 370 limits Parliament's power to make laws concerning the state, Article 35-A empowers the state assembly to define "permanent residents" for bestowing special rights and privileges to them.

Abrogating Article 370 has long been one of the core BJP promises.  Amit Shah had said to a news channel that 2020 will be a deadline for Article 370, on Sunday. He said his party remains firm on its commitment, but cited lack of majority in the Rajya Sabha as the reason behind not fulfilling it so far.

Mehbooba Mufti made had made a provocative statement on Wednesday too, after filing nomination papers from Anantnag. She had said on the same issue that scrapping of Article 370 would be the end of accession of Jammu and Kashmir with India.