"Devender Rana Was More Than a Colleague, He Was a Dear Friend,"

Srinagar, Nov 5 (KNS): In a heartfelt tribute, Jammu and Kashmir's Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, praised former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s visionary approach towards the region, emphasizing that Jammu and Kashmir might have seen a different trajectory had Vajpayee's roadmap been fully implemented.

"Vajpayee was a rare statesman, a true visionary who understood the complexities of Jammu and Kashmir like few others," said Abdullah according to KNS correspondent.

“He pioneered initiatives like the Lahore bus journey and his historic visit to Minar-e-Pakistan, efforts that aimed at building a lasting bridge between India and Pakistan. He often reminded us that neighbors, unlike friends, are constants," Abdullah said according to KNS correspondent.

Reflecting on Vajpayee's well-known slogan of "Jamhooriyat, Kashmiriyat, and Insaniyat" (Democracy, Kashmiri Identity, and Humanity), Abdullah remarked, "This was a profound vision that spoke to the unique fabric of Kashmir. Vajpayee didn’t just say it; he lived it. No leader before or after has resonated this slogan with the same depth."

Abdullah also lauded Vajpayee’s efforts to reconnect the divided parts of Jammu and Kashmir through the opening of cross-border routes, emphasizing that these initiatives aimed to foster personal ties among the region's people. "Vajpayee saw the importance of people-to-people connections, hoping to mend wounds through shared relationships," Abdullah added.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel"But tragically, instead of nurturing these connections, we have created greater distances."

Alluding to the revocation of Article 370 in 2019, Abdullah reflected on the missed potential of Vajpayee’s roadmap, saying, "If we had stayed the course Vajpayee had charted for Jammu and Kashmir, we might not be facing today’s challenges."

He also revisited the moment when the J&K Assembly’s autonomy resolution was returned by the Vajpayee-led cabinet. "Although the initial response was a rejection, Vajpayee later understood the urgency of engaging with Jammu and Kashmir’s aspirations, sending his Law Minister to begin dialogue with the National Conference leadership. Unfortunately, progress stalled, and when Vajpayee passed away, that era of openness faded," Abdullah observed.

Abdullah extended heartfelt tributes not only to Vajpayee but also to his close advisor, Devender Singh Rana, whose recent passing hit him deeply. “Devender was more than a colleague; he was a dear friend with whom I shared pivotal years of my life. I didn’t know about his health issues; if I had, I would have reached out to bridge the gaps that had developed between us,” Abdullah shared emotionally.

In a poignant reflection, he noted this session marked the last time tributes in the J&K Assembly would include members from Ladakh and Kargil, as the region now stands as a separate union territory. (KNS)