BJP pays glowing tributes to Devender Rana

Jammu, Nov 2: J&K Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Ravinder Raina Saturday, while paying glowing tributes to senior party leader and MLA Nagrota Devender Singh Rana, said that he (Rana) always promoted “clear-hearted politics with ethics, beyond political barriers.”

Raina stated this, while addressing a “Shradhanjali Sabha” at BJP headquarters, Trikuta Nagar, Jammu wherein J&K BJP Working President Sat Sharma, MPs, office bearers, senior leaders, MLAs also paid tributes to Rana.

J&K BJP President termed the demise of Rana as a “great loss to the party as well as the whole of Jammu & Kashmir.” Describing this loss as an unfortunate incident, Raina said, “Ranaji is affectionately remembered by all with tearful eyes and heavy hearts. He always played clear-hearted politics with ethics beyond political barriers.” He exhorted all to take cues from Rana’s life to “learn the art of friendship and make relations with everyone, whether friend or foe.”

MP Jugal Kishore remembered the proactive work of Rana despite his ill health. He said that with his sheer dedication, the deceased leader made a special niche in the hearts of party workers and common people. He said that all should learn from the life of Rana how to connect with the people.

Praying for the strength to the family members of the departed soul, MP Ghulam Ali Khatana said, “We have lost a ‘friend of all’.”

Former Deputy Chief Minister Kavinder Gupta said that although Rana was initially with the National Conference, he was always available to listen to the members of other parties and always ready to extend the best possible help. He said that after joining the BJP, Rana influenced party colleagues through his work culture and prompt delivery.

Former J&K BJP President Ashok Khajuria asked every party activist to “pursue the idea of Devender Singh Rana to work for the welfare of Jammu and its people and take the party forward to new heights.”

Former minister Surjit Singh Salathia said that Rana was popular in the political as well as in the business circles. “He helped the people out of the way,” Salathia said and termed his departure as a “great loss to the party, the region, especially the friends, along with his family.”

Former minister Sham Lal Sharma, while speaking about his long association of more than 40 years with Rana, said that he was not just a political leader but a social figure who had developed the faith of the people irrespective of their region, religion or gender.

“Such people are very rarely seen in the political field and Devender Singh Rana reached the highest position as a politician by his hard work and pain for the welfare of the masses,” Sham said, adding that in his (Rana’s) demise, he suffered a personal loss.

Sunil Sharma, General Secretary and former minister conducted the proceedings of the Shradhanjali Sabha. He also paid tributes to Devender Singh Rana and shared a few memories of having meetings with him on different occasions. He said that the demise of such a great leader created an irreparable loss and that the life of Rana would keep inspiring the upcoming political and social activists.

J&K BJP Chief Spokesperson, Sunil Sethi said that Rana was a great teacher and was a “focussed leader about the Jammu and Dogras.”