The newly nominated president of Bhartiya Janata Party, Ravinder Raina was given a rousing reception on his first visit to party office in Srinagar today. He was received by senior party leaders at Jawahar Nagar office of the party amid pro-BJP slogans and garlands.Addressing the party workers, Raina, who is considered as a firebrand BJP leader, said that he has come to Kashmir for the first time and he believes that peace is the only viable option for the people of Kashmir and he would leave no stone unturned to ensure there is a peaceful atmosphere across the region.Raina, who represents Nowshehra constituency in the Assembly, said that he pays rich tributes to all the martyrs of Kashmir region, who sacrifices their lives for keeping the head of Indian nation high. He said the martyrs that include Maqbool Sherwani, Lt Umar Fayaz, the deputy superintendent of police, Muhammad Ayoub Pandit, Gowhar Bhat, and dozens of others, who kept the Indian flag high always.He felicitated the people of Kashmir on the occasion of holy fasting month of Ramadhan and prayed that this month proves as a harbinger of peace for the entire State.Raina said as BJP president his mission will be to ensure communal harmony and brotherhood within various segments of the society. He said his endeavour will be to help poor and destitute people of the State including Kashmir.
Raina said that he feels pain for the people of Kashmir and understandings their sufferings and will put in his all efforts to mitigate the agony they have faced over the past three decades.Raina said that Prime Minister Narendera Modi is coming on May 19, with a message of hope and peace. Raina said that PM Modi is the only Prime Minister who spent Diwali and visited the Valley during floods. Stating that BJP will follow the footsteps of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who wrote a new chapter in the history of India and Pakistan by starting the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad Bus.Taking a dig at the Congress for ruining India after ruling for 60 years, Raina said BJP is the only party that has managed to keep the flock together. He said every Muslim feels secure under the BJP’s rule and more steps will be taken for the safety and security of Muslims across India. Raina said time is not far when every house in Kashmir will see a Lotus bloom and BJP would be the only party here, on which people would rely.Former President BJP, Sat Sharma who is now Urban and Housing development minister said that under the guidance of Raina, Kashmir chapter of BJP will further get strengthened on all fronts. He said Raina is fully aware of the problems and issues confronted by the people of Kashmir and will try to resolve all issues on war footing basis.
General Secretary (organization) Ashok Koul while speaking on the occasion said that Raina is a young and dynamic leader and he will work on all fronts to further spread the workers base of BJP across the State, especially in Kashmir. Koul said that he was thankful to party high command for electing Raina to lead the party. For the first time, Raina was greeted with a traditional welcome song sung by Habba Kadal constituency workers. The song was organized by Ashok Bhat, district vice president Srinagar.Those who were present on the occasion include MLC Sofi Yousuf, State vice president Darakshan Andrabi, State General Secretary Pawan Khajuria, Vice chairmen Dr Ali, G M Mir, Khalid Jehangir, and district presidents : Bandipora Wasim Bari, Kupwara Jamal Bhat, Baramulla D.K Nehru, Anantnag Rafiq Wani, Shopian Javid Qadri, Pulwama Master Gani, Ganderbal Bashir Bhat, Budgam Gh. Hassan Khan, Kulgam Gen. Sectaries Manzoor Parray, Abid Wani, district Srinagar team, Protocol Incharge Kashmir Arif Raja, , Senior Leader Malik Mushtaq Noorabadi, Grievance Incharge Kashmir Dr. Rafi, Vice Presidents Srinagar Asif Masoodi, Molvi Tariq Ahmad Khan, Hakim Masood, State Secretary Youth Wing Bilal Parry, Womens Incharge Kashmir Neelam Gaash, State Vice President Minority Morcha Adv. Wajahat Hussain, Gen. Sec. M.M Sheikh Bashir and others.