'Never knew he was so ill': Omar regrets losing Devender Rana

Srinagar, Nov 05: While speaking in the assembly, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said he regretted loss of Davender Rana, saying he didn't know that he was so ill.

Speaking during the obituary references in the House, Omar Abdullah said he would prefer to talk about Rana as he was a sitting member of the House. "No one else in this House has closely worked with Rana the way I have worked with him. I have worked with him for around 20 years of my life," said Omar Abdullah, who is the leader of the House.

Abdullah said after the 2008 election, Rana worked as his advisor and while making changes in the Ministry, Rana took the responsibility of the party wholeheartedly. "He was a hard working person who would always give his best to deliver. BJP members are witness to it how hardworking man Rana was," Omar said.

He said that when Rana was given multiple responsibilities after joining BJP, which he delivered with full spirit. "In Jammu we have several roundabouts (Gole Chakar) but only one roundabout established in the name of Girdhari Lal Dogra is well managed and maintained. Rana had taken responsibility for the roundabout that is why it was always maintained and managed," Omar said.

The CM said he regretted losing after he left the National Conference. "I never knew about his ailments. If I had any idea about it then I would have worked to fix our differences," he said.

Omar said that God had destined that he as leader of the House will talk on his obituary reference than to fix the differences. "I only talked about Davender Rana here because I personally regret his loss. His loss will always haunt me in my life," he said.