Geelani statement: Sanjay Saraf denies carrying message from BJP

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had yesterday questioned the secrecy behind the move and asked the hardline separatist leader to identify the men, to establish who was "lying".

Geelani's claims invited denials from the Jamaat-e-Islami and the moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference with the latter accusing the hardline leader of deliberately making statements aimed at creating confusion among people.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the chairman of the moderate faction, advised Geelani to shun the "holier than thou" attitude as holding talks with stakeholders on the Kashmir issue did not tantamount to a sell out.