‘Will follow footsteps of my father’
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Oct 18: BJP candidate, Devyani Rana and JKNPP-I president Harsh Dev Singh today filed their nomination papers for the bypoll in Nagrota Assembly constituency here, while independent candidate Aditya Sharma filed her nomination papers from Budgam Assembly segment in Kashmir valley today.
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After submitting their papers before the Returning Officers, both the candidates of Nagrota constituency addressed separate public meetings to seek support of the voters.
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Devyani Rana was accompanied by senior party leaders including party president, Sat Sharma (CA), Leader of Opposition, Sunil Sharma, party MLA and Election incharge Nagrota constituency, Sham Lal Sharma and co incharge and DDC Chairman, Bharat Bushan while filling up her nomination papers.
The by-elections in Nagrota and Budgam Assembly constituencies will be held on November 11 and the counting of votes will take place on November 14.
The last date for filing of nominations will be October 20 followed by scrutiny on October 22 and withdrawal of candidatures on October 24.
Accompanied by hundreds of supporters, Devyani Rana addressed a mammoth gathering.
“People of Nagrota are my family,. I am daughter of Devender Rana who was always there to support anyone without considering his religion, caste and creed. I will follow his footsteps and fulfil all his election promises which he could not due to his sudden demise,” Devyani told the gathering amid high pitch sloganeering in her favour and in praise of her father.
“I have taken a pledge on the hand of my father in his last days that I will work for the betterment of the people of his constituency”.
Devyani said she is hopeful that every family in Nagrota will bless her as they blessed her father who registered his win with the highest margin among all the legislators.
“Devender Rana will be remembered for his diligence, honesty, and the genuine respect he had for everyone, always treating people with love and dignity. I hope to continue these values in my life,” she said.
She complimented the party leadership and the people for their immense support, expressing her commitment to carry forward the legacy of her father.
She said “My father, had a dream of a prosperous, progressive, and inclusive Nagrota. “I promise to fulfil all his incomplete works and serve the people day and night. I will leave no stone unturned to justify the faith that you have shown in me”.
J&K BJP president Sat Sharma, Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, general secretaries Sanjita Dogra and Gopal Mahajan, Assembly Election incharge and MLA, Sham Lal Sharma, and co-incharge and DDC Chairperson, Bharat Bhushan, among other senior leaders and legislators addressed the rally.
Prabhari district Jammu North, Ayodhya Gupta, MLAs Satish Sharma, Yudhvir Sethi, Pawan Gupta, Ch Vikram Randhawa, Kuldeep Dubey, Mohan Lal Bhagat, Surinder Bhagat, Arvind Gupta, Baldev Raj Sharma, and other senior leaders also shared the dais in the rally.
Addressing the gathering, Sat Sharma said that the BJP is fully committed to the overall development and progress of Nagrota constituency, and to the socio-economic upliftment of every individual in Jammu and Kashmir. He said that the BJP under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has transformed the governance structure of J&K, bringing transparency, empowerment, and fast-paced development. He said that Nagrota holds a special place in our vision of progress, and the BJP will ensure that no developmental project remains incomplete.
Sharma, while paying rich tribute to the late Devender Singh Rana, said though he is no longer with us, his dreams will be fulfilled by his daughter, Devyani Rana, who has inherited his spirit of service.
Sunil Sharma lauded Devyani Rana for her resolve to take forward her father’s mission, saying that the people of Nagrota have seen what commitment and compassion meant under Devender Rana’s leadership. Devyani embodies the same sincerity and vision, and BJP stands firmly behind her.
Sham Lal Sharma assured the people that the BJP Government is working tirelessly for every section of society. He said that the development, empowerment, and dignity for all are our guiding principles.
The stage proceedings were conducted by Gopal Mahajan.
From Budgam constituency in Kashmir valley, Aditya Sharma of Jammu who filed her nomination papers today termed National Conference (NC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) a handicapped system and labelled both parties as failures. She said she will work for development in Budgam and welfare of people of the constituency.
Besides her, seven more Independent candidates have filed their nomination papers from Budgam since yesterday.
It may be recalled that poll in Nagrota was necessitated by the demise of BJP legislator, Devender Singh Rana on October 31 last year Budgam seat fell vacant after Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah retained Ganderbal — his family’s bastion — after winning the two Assembly seats.
Devender Singh Rana won the seat for the party in 2024 Assembly elections by a record margin of 30,472 votes. He had earlier emerged winner from the seat in 2014 elections on National Conference (NC) ticket but later switched to BJP in 2021.
Meanwhile, District Election Officer, Jammu Rakesh Minhas highlighted key parameters from the updated constituency profile and said a total of 150 polling stations, with robust polling infrastructure and 100 percent assured minimum facilities like ramps, lighting, drinking water and sanitation, have been established for the bypoll to the Nagrota constituency, having 97,893 registered voters.
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