New Delhi, August 22
Faced with different voices from the Jammu and Kashmir Government on the question of autonomy or special powers for the state, Union Home Minister L.K. Advani has asked Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah to submit an exhaustive report.

Mr Advani conveyed this to Dr Abdullah in a telephonic conversation a few days ago, well-placed sources said here today. Dr Abdullah has agreed to send a report.

The sources said Mr Advani had taken exception to Dr Abdullah’s remarks made on August 15 that the Centre had “agreed to discuss” the autonomy issue. Mr Advani is understood to have told the Chief Minister that the Centre had not reacted to the averments of Dr Abdullah or his son, Mr Omar Farooq Abdullah, on the issues of autonomy and special powers for Jammu and Kashmir for several reasons.

First, Dr Abdullah’s ruling National Conference is a part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) which is at the helm of the affairs at the Centre. Secondly, Dr Abdullah was very much present when the NDA election manifesto was released. In the wake of the observations of the Abdullahs, Mr Advani told the Chief Minister: “We don’t know what you want.”

Mr Advani is also ruffled by NC leaders, including Dr Abdullah and Mr Omar Abdullah, dropping hints that the Ministry of Home Affairs is a stumbling block in autonomy special powers being granted to Jammu and Kashmir.

The sources said Mr Advani had instructed Union Home Secretary Kamal Pande early this month to explore what kind of special powers could be considered for Jammu and Kashmir. The Home Minister had also hinted about this aspect in the Rajya Sabha last week.