Like Father Like Daughter!: Devyani files nomination, stamps her mark in maiden electoral rally

Jammu, Oct 18: It was a kind of déjà vu for many on Saturday as Devyani Rana officially commenced her political journey to reclaim the proud legacy of her father Devender Singh Rana, former MLA Nagrota and senior BJP leader.

They could sink in emotionally, experiencing that unique feel in the remarks of senior BJP leaders; the endearing persona of Devyani and poignant downpour of images reminding them of late Devender Singh Rana, off and on.

Her determination and her confident demeanour, like her father, was on display when she asserted that she was not shy of challenges and recommended everybody to throw hat in the ring and get ready for a good election.

Her assertion - What is an election if it is not fought well - manifested her willpower that she was prepared to take head-on her adversaries in the electoral fray.

Three days after her name was cleared by the BJP Central Election Committee as the party’s candidate for Nagrota in the assembly by-poll, Devyani filed her nomination papers at the Tehsil office (Nagrota) on Saturday (October 18, 2025) afternoon.

Next in her itinerary was her maiden electoral rally at the Excise and Taxation Training Institute Ground, Nagrota - signalling her arrival on the political landscape with aplomb.

Despite being overwhelmed with emotions, her poise was remarkable and it found manifestation all the time. Right from her arrival, joined by senior party leaders and a large number of supporters, for filing nomination to her address in her first electoral rally; the way she accepted felicitations from her supporters and others and finally handled the media (at times unruly) with dexterity, with confidence.

Her saffron Dogra turban and reaching the tehsil office to file her nomination in her vehicle while sitting behind the wheels (and also her energetic address in the public rally) refreshed moments of September 2024, when her father had filed nomination papers and later addressed the rally.

Devyani was accompanied by the J&K BJP president Sat Sharma, the Leader of Opposition in J&K Legislature Sunil Sharma, besides other senior party leaders.

“Such a large gathering has been very inspiring for me. You have proved that Nagrota was Rana sahib’s family and would continue to be so. During his last moments, he took my hand in his hands and extracted from me a promise – all promises he made to Nagrota people will be fulfilled. You know the daughters are the pride for their fathers. For a daughter, her father is everything, her crown. I will never ditch the people of Nagrota – you will never find me shirking my responsibilities,” she reaffirmed in her maiden electoral address.

Public’s response was jubilant and she humbly accepted their felicitations, on the dais and off the dais.

She appealed to the people to ensure her victory with a margin, even higher than her father scored- as a real tribute to their “true Sewak – Devender Singh Rana – who served them with empathy and determination in a selfless manner.”

Interestingly, the audience had a dominant presence of women and the people from Gujjar tribe.

Post-electoral address, she shared her emotional state of mind at her big moment of life, in response to media queries.

“I’m very happy but at the same time, this is also a very poignant moment for me. I’m rejoicing the way I’m being blessed with everyone here so generously. Regret is – Rana Sahib (father) is not here with us – to bless me and give me his warm, affectionate hug,” she said.

“There is never a moment that I don’t miss him (father). But today especially, it has been very overwhelming to see the kind of response the public has had. He (Devender Singh Rana) would always refer to the people of Nagrota as his family. And today our family has come out and shown their love and respect for him. There could be nothing better that I could ask for as his daughter - as someone who is trying her best to ensure that the promises that Rana Sahib made to the people of Nagrota are fulfilled,” Devyani asserted.

Recalling the qualities of head and heart of her father, she reminisced, “Rana Sahib would never ask anyone his or her religion, caste or creed. His only question would be – What can I do for you as a humble representative of the people? He toiled hard to nurture this constituency. I believe I will be able to realise his vision and the aspirations of the people.”

Regarding her plans for Nagrota, once elected, she stated, “We, in the BJP, are fortunate to have a visionary leader in the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana is going to be a game changer in the days to come. I’m excited to see its implementation on the ground in Nagrota.”

“Nagrota is one of the larger constituencies of J&K. It has a very unique topography comprising both the plains and the mountains. Each area has its own challenges in terms of infrastructure and the opportunities for the inhabitants. I’ve tried to prepare a matrix of what is required there – especially in the post Operation Sindoor and the post-incessant rains, landslides scenario. We have had a dynamic assessment of the area and requirements. We hope to take forward Rana Sahib’s vision for Nagrota,” she reiterated.

To her, who would be the main challenger?

Her response to this question was quick, “As we are the biggest democracy in the world and elections are a festival in India. Thus, I look at every challenge as something that we all have to be ready for…and I would look at it as an opportunity for more people. In fact, I would recommend everybody to throw their hat in the ring and get ready for a good election because what is an election if it is not fought well.”

About a question about internal wrangling, Devyani said, “BJP is the largest political party in the world. And when a family as large as the BJP goes to the polls, each member of the family is ready to ensure the party’s win and that too with a thumping majority. I never had any concerns about the people joining ranks with the BJP or otherwise. I’m fully confident that the seat which Rana Sahib won with the highest margin in J&K UT will be retained by the BJP with the blessings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

She asserted that the BJP was in the habit of taking each and every election very seriously and fighting it as one unit.