Jammu: Soon after the BJP on Wednesday announced her candidature for the Nagrota Assembly bypoll, Devyani Rana, daughter of late BJP veteran Devender Singh Rana, expressed confidence of securing a resounding victory. Jubilant party workers and supporters gathered outside her Gandhi Nagar residence, celebrating the announcement with dhols and slogans.
The BJP named its candidates for the upcoming Assembly bypolls across several states, fielding Devyani Rana from Nagrota and Aga Syed Mohsin from Budgam in Jammu and Kashmir. The Nagrota seat fell vacant following the demise of Devender Singh Rana last October, while the Budgam bypoll was necessitated after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah vacated the seat to retain Ganderbal.
Expressing her gratitude, Devyani said, “I extend my heartfelt thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP president J.P. Nadda, Sati Sharma, Tarun Chugh, and Ashok Koul for entrusting me with this responsibility.” She described her nomination as more than a ticket — “a chance to carry forward the vision and initiatives” of her late father.
“With the blessings of the people, we will make Nagrota a model constituency — fulfilling Rana Sahib’s dream of transforming it into a symbol of developed India,” she added.
An entrepreneur managing her family’s media and motor business, Devyani emphasized her commitment to serve with “dedication and discipline,” asserting that “this seat belonged to the BJP and will always remain with the BJP.”
A graduate in Economics from the University of California, Devyani praised the BJP for empowering women and youth, and said she is inspired by Prime Minister Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat to build a “developed Nagrota and a developed Jammu and Kashmir.”
Calling the BJP “not just a party but a family,” she remarked, “We don’t believe in mere talk; we believe in action, in working on the ground, and serving people. Together, we will win this seat by a massive margin.”
Polling for Assembly bypolls in eight constituencies across Jammu and Kashmir, Odisha, Jharkhand, Mizoram, Punjab, Telangana, and Rajasthan will be held on November 11, with counting scheduled for November 14.
Asked about her prospects, Devyani — currently serving as vice-president of the BJP’s youth wing in J&K — said, “The people will decide that. I am confident the voters will bless me with overwhelming support.”
Devender Singh Rana, who passed away on October 31, 2024, at the age of 59, had won the Nagrota seat in the last Assembly election, defeating NC’s Joginder Singh by over 30,000 votes.
While Budgam is expected to see a straight fight between the NC and the PDP, in Nagrota, Devyani is relying on her father’s strong legacy and the BJP’s consolidated support base. The last date for filing nominations is October 20, and candidates can withdraw their nominations until October 24.
