Overnight, Abdulla becomes patriot for BJP

On July 4 when Union Cabinet rejected the autonomy resolution passed by Jamp;K Assembly, senior BJP leader J.P. Mathur had termed Abdullah as a 8220;representative of Muslim fundamentalists8221; in Kashmir Valley and accused him of 8220;encouraging fundamentalism.8221; Today, Naidu said Abdullah was a patriot and his party was very much part of the National Democratic Alliance.

Asked about the agenda for the proposed talks between Abdullah and the Centre after his autonomy resolution had been dumped, Naidu said, 8220;Other issues can be discussed within the framework of the Constitution.8221;

Reiterating that BJP is against the restoration of the pre-1953 status to Jammu and Kashmir, he said his party, however, supported devolution of powers to States but not the concept of autonomy as envisaged in the resolution passed by the State Assembly.