Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today expressed surprise over the projection of L K Advani, who quit all BJP posts yesterday, as a symbol of secularism in NDA by some quarters.

"L K Advani as the NDA's mascot of secularism. Who would have imagined!!!!!!"

Omar, whose National Conference was a constituent of the alliance from 1999-2003, Tweeted.

Although Omar did not specify who he was referring to, the comment seems to be in response to JD-U's stand on reconsidering its ties with the NDA in the wake of elevation of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as BJP's poll panel chief for next year's Lok Sabha elections.

Janata Dal (United) president Sharad Yadav had termed Advani's resignation as a "serious issue" and "not good for NDA health." "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 said yesterday that "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."