J&K would have been better today had path of Vajpayee been followed: Omar

‘Personal loss to me’: CM pays emotional tribute to Rana

06/11/2024

SRINAGAR, Nov 5: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said that late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee paved the way for peace in Kashmir and if only his path was followed, J&K would have been in a better place today.
Speaking during the obituary references in the Assembly on Tuesday, Omar said he worked with Vajapyee for three years and emphasized that the former Prime Minister was remembered in Jammu and Kashmir for his efforts to improve the situation and foster a positive relationship with Pakistan.
"He was the first leader to go to Lahore by bus, and he even visited Minar-e-Pakistan. For an Indian leader, paying respects at Minar-e-Pakistan was no ordinary gesture," said Omar. He added, "Standing at the border, he declared that while we could choose our friends, we could not change our neighbors. Today, such statements are rare."
Omar highlighted Vajpayee's strong advocacy for dialogue, stating that the former Prime Minister saw no alternative to engagement.
He praised Vajpayee's vision, which centered on 'Insaniyat' (humanity), 'Jamhuriyat' (democracy), and 'Kashmiriyat' as the guiding principles to resolve the Kashmir issue.
"He attempted to open roads to reconnect divided families, but unfortunately, those links were later severed. Vajpayee sought to unite people and build personal relationships, but today, it feels like there is an effort to keep us apart. Had we stayed true to Vajpayee Sahib's path, our situation would be different," Omar said.
Reflecting on the autonomy resolution passed by the J&K Assembly in June 2000-which the Vajpayee government had rejected-Omar noted that Vajpayee later recognized this decision as hasty and appointed then-Law Minister Arun Jaitley to discuss the issue with the J&K government.
"Sadly, the government didn't stay and the situation changed," he said.
Earlier Communist leader M.Y. Tarigami also spoke in the House, lauding Vajpayee's commitment to maintaining cordial relations with neighbours. He pointed out that Vajpayee had overruled opposition when he declared a ceasefire in J&K, although he regretted the rejection of the autonomy resolution.
Other Assembly members, including Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, Congress leader Nizam Bhat, NC leader Bashir Veeri, PDP leader Rafiq Naik and several others, also shared tributes during the session.
The Assembly paid respects to 57 former legislators and parliamentarians, including the late separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani. The former Hurriyat chief passed away at 92 after a prolonged illness on September 1, 2021. Geelani, served as an MLA from Sopore three times.
The atmosphere in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly was heavy with emotions on Tuesday as Chief Minister Omar Abdullah paid tribute to his dear friend and former colleague, Devender Singh Rana, who recently passed away after winning elections on a BJP ticket.
Speaking during obituary references in the assembly, Abdullah said, “There are 57 obituary references today, but I must take a moment to speak about one person who has been a close associate — Devender Singh Rana. He spent nearly two decades of my 26 years in politics by my side.”
Amidst the solemn tributes, Abdullah’s voice was filled with emotions as he recounted their journey together.
“I became the President of the National Conference, and Devender was my media advisor. When I became Chief Minister in 2009, he once again stepped into the role of advisor. Through every twist and turn, his dedication never faltered,” he said.
The chief minister’s eyes glistened with unshed tears as he reflected on Rana’s unwavering commitment to the party.
“He never complained when I reshuffled the ministries or when he was tasked with organisational work. His loyalty to the National Conference was unwavering, and his hard work was evident to all,” Abdullah said.
He made a gesture towards the opposition BJP benches and said, “You all witnessed it; wherever he was sent — be it Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, or Gujarat — he excelled.”
Abdullah shared a glimpse into Rana’s humble beginnings, reminiscing “he started with a small Maruti service station who was often seen in mechanic uniform, diligently cleaning vehicles.”
“That was the essence of Devender — hardworking and humble which led to him being a successful businessman with an empire of showrooms but he always remained grounded,” he said.
As the chief minister continued, his voice broke, a sign of the depth of his sorrow. “In my 25-26 years of politics, many have come and gone, but the departure of Devender Singh Rana has left a profound impact on my heart.
“Today, I regret not realising how seriously ill he was; I would have sought to mend our relationship. Unfortunately, that opportunity never came, and now, we gather here to pay our tributes,” he said.
Abdullah’s heartfelt words echoed through the assembly, capturing the essence of a friendship that transcended politics. “His loss is not just a political one for me; it is deeply personal. The regret of his departure will remain with me for the rest of my life.”

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