Big setback for NC as Devender Singh Rana resigns

JAMMU — In a major setback to National Conference, its Jammu face and former MLA Nagrota Devender Singh Rana resigned from the basic membership of the party on Sunday.

Sources told news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that Rana resigned from the basic membership of the party today.

According to sources, former MLA Surjeet Singh Salathia, another prominent Jammu face of NC, is also resigning from the party.

Both, according to sources, are likely to join BJP tomorrow in Jammu.

Rana was considered close to the former chief minister and NC Vice-President Omar Abdullah.

Rana, Slathia’s resignation accepted: NC

National Conference leadership on Sunday said they have accepted the resignation of Devender Singh Rana and Surjit Singh Slathia.

A spokesman of the National Conference told news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the party leadership has accepted the resignation submitted by both the leaders.

The exit of Rana and Slathia is seen as a major setback to the National Conference as both had a strong influence in the Assembly segments represented by them in the past.

Rana managed to win the Nagrota Assembly segment in 2014 state polls despite BJP sweeping Dogra heartland of Jammu.