Advani's autobiography provides fodder to JK politicians

Mon, Mar 24 10:34 PM

Srinagar, Mar 24 (PTI) Senior BJP leader L K Advani's autobiography "My Country, My Life" has provided fodder to politicians in Jammu and Kashmir with ruling PDP today quoting the book to accuse the NC of trading away "autonomy" for the state to remain in power in the previous NDA government. Referring to the book at at public meeting in Takipora in Kupwara district, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti alleged the NC leadership traded the autonomy resolution passed by the assembly in June 2000 for power in the then NDA government.

"Advani in his book has said the then Chief minister Farooq Abdullah preferred to remain in power.

Rather than press for the implementation of the state autonomy committee report," she said.

She said, the Opposition party leadership was firmly told by the then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee that the autonomy resolution would not be accepted at any cost and if NC wanted, they could leave the NDA. "However, according to Advani to safeguard his own chair and that of his son Omar Abdullah, who was minister of state for external affairs in the government, Abdullah bowed before the Centre and allowed the issue to lapse," she said.

Reacting to Advani's assertion, NC patron and former chief minister Farooq Abdullah said they were "baseless allegations". "It is baseless and unfortunate that Advani has said so," Abdullah told a hurriedly convened press conference at his residence here this evening.

"I feet hurt.

Advani who wants to become prime minister of the country should have not mentioned what has not happened at all," an angry Abdullah said.

PTI.

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