STATE TIMES NEWS
NEW DELHI: BJP National General Secretary Arun Chugh on Friday discussed organisational matters besides political and developmental issues related to Jammu and Kashmir with senior leader Devender Rana and hoped that his amazing political perspective and vision will inspire the workers across the Union Territory.
Devender Rana, a former legislator and ex-Provincial President quit National Conference along with former minister Surjeet Singh Slathia and scores of senior leaders, close to him, and joined the BJP on October 11 this year.
The meeting between Devender Rana and the National General Secretary, who is also the BJP incharge of Jammu and Kashmir, assumes significance as Jammu and Kashmir will be gearing up for the likely elections to the Legislative Assembly next year post the Delimitation Commission report, recommendations of which would be finalised after getting the observations of all the stakeholders by December 31, 2021.
In his Tweet in Hindi, Tarun Chugh observed (loose English translation), “Had a meeting with senior BJP leader Devender Singh Ranaji. Discussed organisations, political and development issues pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir. The amazing and vast political perspective, futuristic thinking, firm will and enviable leadership qualities of Devender Singh Ranaji are source of inspiration for the BJP Karyakartas (workers).
Established as a most vocal face of the National Conference for about three decades, Rana developed differences with his erstwhile leadership for espousing the cause of Jammu and advocated equal rights in development, jobs and economic activities besides equitable role of the region in governance. He has been advocating Jammu Declaration for over a year, which was seen as a challenge to the Kashmir based leadership. The flashpoint came when Devender Rana sought enhancement of seats in the legislative assembly for Jammu during the meeting of the delegation; he led with the visiting Delimitation Commission on July 8, 2021 in the winter capital. The delegation in its memorandum to the Commission inter-alia, sought “The Delimitation Commission must give its due to all parts of Jammu region, so that our commitment for equitable empowerment of all regions and sub-regions does not get dented”.
For the past nearly two months, Devender Rana, along with the Pradesh BJP leadership, has intensified public outreach programmes across Jammu region, beginning from the border districts of Poonch and Rajouri.