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July 21, 2000

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TDP to discuss autonomy committee report

Syed Amin Jafri in Hyderabad

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu has said that his party will discuss the autonomy committee report of Jammu and Kashmir before formulating its stance on the issue.

After hosting a dinner for J&K Chief Minister and National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah, Naidu, however, was evasive on many queries, on Thursday night. "Abdullah gave us the autonomy committee report. We will discuss it before coming out with our stand," he added.

The TDP president said, "J&K is different from other states." On why he thought it was different, he said that this was because "so many accords were signed by the Centre and J&K."

On why he wanted J&K to be treated differently in future, he quipped, "It was always treated differently."

Naidu praised Abdullah, saying, "He is our friend. He was with us when (TDP patriarch) N T Rama Rao was there. He attended conclaves organised at that time. He has been with us."

On why the TDP had endorsed the Government of India's action when it rejected the resolution on autonomy adopted by the J&K Assembly, Naidu retorted, "I cannot reply to all questions now."

Abdullah expressed gratitude to Naidu and said, "I am thankful for this meeting. He spared his precious time and met me. I am confident our talks will continue. We will meet again on August 6 at the chief ministers' conference on internal security in Delhi. Our parliamentarians and Telugu Desam parliamentarians will also interact and deliberate on the issue," he observed.

"I have explained the situation in my state vis-à-vis terrorism and other matters. I gave him the report on autonomy and explained its need. I have sought his help in raising the issue and discussing it with the Centre and others so that a consensus can be evolved through which the people of J&K will be given back their honour," the National Conference leader pointed out.

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