Chief Minister’s former Political Advisor Devender Singh Rana took over as Provincial President of National Conference here on Thursday. He was taken to his seat by the Working President National Conference and Chief Minister of the State, Omar Abdullah. Slogans reverberated the atmosphere at the movement and showering of flower petals added colour to the graceful function organized by the National Conference to welcome new Provincial President. Saying that political parties are instrumental in forming governments and representing the aspirations of people, Working President Jammu and Kashmir National Conference and Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah said that it was immaterial for party stalwarts to remain in the government or serve the parties. “The workers of National Conference have always cherished to strengthen the party and render sincere public service”, he said adding that power has never remained their goal but achieving welfare of the general people has been their benchmark. “I am proud to be the Working President of National Conference which has been the heartbeat of people across the State and whose achievements in all spheres of socio-politico, economic development and public empowerment have been path breaking and historic”, he said showering praises on the workers and office bearers of National Conference.
Highlighting the role of Devender Singh Rana in rendering selfless service to party and the Chief Minister during last four years, the Working President said that Rana has proved his calibre and mettle of delivering in a meticulous way. He said Rana has established his position in the hearts of people and his appointment as the Provincial President of J&K National Conference, Jammu province will infuse new energy in the party rank and file.
Expressing faith in the ability of Rana, Omar Abdullah wished him all success and hoped that he would exhibit his excellence and come up to the aspirations of the party. “I will be always available to you to help render your service to the people and the party”, he told him and took Rana to his chair.
Omar Abdullah said that though elections are about two years away but the preparation and public rapport from right now is all the more essential to apprise the people of the achievements of coalition government and attend to their grievances and problems in a more focused manner. The Chief Minister directed the Ministers to make field visits necessary aspect in their working scheduled. “Meet the people and workers in all areas ascertaining their difficulties and seeking solution to the problems”, he said.
Omar Abdullah said that National Conference President, Dr. Farooq Abdullah and he thought it befitting to strengthen the party by entrusting party affairs to the talented, trusted and capable people and also place similar persons in the Cabinet so that party affairs and those of administrative matters are attended with equal focus and attention. “I am fortunate that I have lot of talented, capable and intelligent people available in the party”, he said adding that this helped him to strike a good balance in running the party affairs and those of the government.
The Working President National Conference said that by the current reshuffle in the party and the Council of Ministers his aim was to give representation to the people in a comprehensive manner. However, he said that there may be areas which needed representation but could not get it. “I am well versed with this and appropriate action will be taken in this regard”, he added.
Earlier, Devender Singh Rana was carried in a massive rally to Sher-i-Kashmir Bhawan by the enthusiastic party workers shouting slogans in his, in favour of Omar Abdullah, Dr. Farooq Abdullah and National Conference.
The function was attended by the top state leadership of the J&K National Conference viz Additional General Secretary of National Conference Dr. Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, Sr. Vice President Surjit Singh Slathia, S. Harbans Singh, Vice President Rattan Lal Gupta and participated by all the National Conference Ministers including Abdul Rahim Rather, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mian Altaf Ahmad, Sakina Itoo, Mohammad Akbar Lone, Choudhary Ramzan, Ajay Sadhotra, Mir Saifullah, Sajjad Ahmad Kitchloo, Feroz Ahmad Khan, Nazir Ahamd Khan (Gurezi), Deputy Chairman J&K Legislative Council, M.Y. Taing , Member of Parliament, Mohammad Shafi Uri, Legislators, Radhey Sham Sharma, Ajaz Jan, Javed Ahmad Dar, Bimla Luthra, Khalid Najeeb Suhrawardy, Javed Rana, G.Q Pardesi, Dr. B.A. Veeri, Master Noor Hussain, Dr.Shenaz Ganai, Former Members of Parliament, Mirza Abdul Rashid, Ch. Talib Hussain, Former Legislators, all District Presidents from Jammu pision, heads of Women’s, Students, Trade Union Wings, Block Presidents and other office bearers besides large number of workers from across the province.