The National Conference faces a significant bump as two senior leaders, Devender Sigh Rana and Surjit Singh Salathia, the party faces in the Jammu province, resigned from the party on Sunday.
A day after leaving the JKNC party, both the leaders joined Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) on Monday.
The National Conference validated the resignation of Devender Singh Rana and Surjit Salathia on Twitter.
The tweet was made from the official account of JKNC, which read, “Dr Farooq Abdullah has received and accepted the letters of resignation of Mr. Salathia and Mr. Rana. No further action or comment is deemed necessary.”
Devender Singh spoke to the media, confirmed his resignation, and asked to await his next move.
According to sources, Rana claimed his resignation to be a step closer to strengthening the Jammu Declaration.
In an interview, Rana stated that the Jammu declaration would make a narrative to thrash all the forces that want to run an inflated diction plan in Jammu and Kashmir.
It will take strict actions against those who hurt the public brotherhood and mutual love. He said they would take a stand and make an effort to reinforce the depleting brotherhood.
In support of everything Devender Singh Rana’s statements, Surjit Salathia also spoke to the media and expressed his views. He said he would speak for the people of Jammu as their representative fearlessly.
He claimed to serve people even outside the party. He also mentioned having no particular problem with the party or its management authority.
Both leaders plan to work in favour of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and see this decision as a change in their political path to strengthen the state, UTs and the country.
Plenty of sources had that both the leaders plan to join the ruling party BJP.
Impact: Huge jolt in Jammu & Kashmir politics
The resignation of two senior leaders, Surjit Singh Salathia and Devender Singh Rana, a close subordinate of Farooq Abdullah and a leading Hindu façade of the National Conference, can prompt a massive swirl in Jammu and Kashmir politics.
The party will face a significant loss as Devender Rana saviours a great deal of public support and has vast accord among the people of J&K.
He is also endorsed by the Muslim and Gujjar community of the state. Rana won from Hindu-majority Nagrota assembly seat of Jammu in 2014 on a National Conference ticket and performed duties as a political advisor to Omar Abdullah during his tenure.
Warm Welcome in Bhartiya Janta Party
Soon after quitting the JKNC on Sunday, both the leaders joined BJP and were welcomed into the party by senior BJP leader and union minister Dr Jitendra Singh and others on Monday.
Devender Rana and Surjit Salathia were escorted by state BJP chief Ravinder Raina and Dr Nirmal Singh.
Mr Rana stated to the media after joining the new party in Delhi headquarters that he fancies a political rendering for Jammu and Kashmir from the state itself.
He also mentioned, he was in a confab with several political parties regarding the Jammu Declaration, and BJP came forward in favour. Hence, he took the decision.
He expressed distress regarding the carelessness and inattention towards the Dogras and the entire province of Jammu & Kashmir.
He wants to strengthen the Jammu narrative even outside the party and work towards the state’s progress.
Rana believes that people are trying to sabotage the spirit of Jammu and Kashmir, which needs to be prevented.
He aims to bring Jammu and Kashmir people forward in the national interest with the aid of the Bhartiya Janta Party.
Mr Rana said he would work for the Jammu Declaration for the overall development of Jammu and Kashmir.
