Omar Abdullah's tweet on Advani as 'mascot of secularism' steeped in irony

Advani quit all posts on Monday following Narendra Modi's elevation as Election Committee Chief

With NDA allies like Janata Dal (U) deciding to do a rethink on their alliance with the BJP post LK Advani’s resignation; Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and UPA ally and Omar Abdullah today took a potshot at the BJP veteran. Abdullah tweeted, "L K Advani as the NDA's mascot of secularism. Who would have imagined!!!!!!"

Advani had submitted his resignation from all official posts of the BJP party within 24 hours of Modi’s elevation as Election Campaign chief.

Ironically, the National Conference was a constituent of the NDA alliance from 1999-2003.

Alliance partner JD(U) has all along resisted Narendra Modi in any official capacity within the NDA for his alleged role in the Gujarat riots of 2002. JD(U) did not comment on Modi’s elevation as it termed it as an internal matter of the BJP but chose to speak out on Advani’s resignation.   

 
On Monday, NDA convenor Sharad Yadav of the JD(U) had described Advani's resignation as a "serious issue" and "not good for NDA health." Yadav had said, "I am deeply saddened by the resignation of Advaniji. Because the NDA was forged with the efforts of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Advaniji.

He (Advani) is also the working president and Atalji is not keeping well," Yadav had said. JDU national spokesperson Shivanand Tiwari had added, "It is a matter of great concern that Advani, who had built BJP brick by brick is being treated shabbily by his own party leaders who ran roughshod over him and went ahead with their decision to anoint Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as the BJP poll campaign panel chief."

Omar’s tweet steeped in irony harks back to Advani’s role in the Babri Masjid demolition and now paradoxically has JD(U) hailing him as a secular mascot.