Exuding confidence that the BJP will form the next government in Jammu and Kashmir, senior leader and former legislator Mr Devender Singh Rana on Saturday said all regions, irrespective of religion or caste shall get a fair deal in development and jobs with no region having hegemony over the other.“With a sense of confidence, I am telling you that the BJP will form the government in J&K on its own”, Mr Rana told reporters at the sidelines of the inaugural function of the trade fair in Gole Market Gandhi Nagar here.When asked ab0ut the apprehensions being expressed by the Congress on fairness of elections and chances of rigging, Mr Rana quipped, ‘they are used to crying foul when any party other than the Congress wins. Such so-called apprehensions also speak about their shaking legs due to the irrelevance of the Congress’. The BJP leader declined to react over the recent utterances of the National Conference, saying he will not comment on Dr Farooq Abdullah for the reason that he has worked with him for over two decades. However, he said that the people should not get peeved when any voice comes from Jammu. He said every segment of the society and all the regions have a right to get politically empowered. Governance in Jammu and Kashmir is not entitlement of anyone. In democracy, it is the people who exercise their right to choose those who they want to be governed by. He expressed surprise over irritation among some when Jammu raises its legitimate voice. Without naming any party, he said they keep raising the issues of their region on a daily basis as a matter of right but get perturbed when anyone speaks for Jammu. By referring to Jammu, he said, he means the entire province, the abode of Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs, who all have equal right to govern and shape their political destination and if a voice emerges from pluralistic Jammu region for an inclusive J&K why should it rattle people.Mr Rana said that the Jammu region will not be discriminated against anymore. He said every region and sub-region will get equal share in development and progress. Nobody should nurture the sense of deprivation and denial, he added.To a question about inappropriate emojis in social media over the tragic demise of CDS General Bipin Rawat, the BJP leader said that all this is unacceptable. Those living in the country cannot disgrace the national icons and anybody wishing to do so has no place in India. They should be identified and tackled sternly as per law, he added.Describing General Rawat as an able soldier, world renowned Military strategist and India’s pride, Mr Rana said the entire nation is in pall of gloom over the martyrdom of 13 brave hearts. And, nobody has to belittle their martyrdom. He said freedom of speech does not mean indulging in anti-national activities. Nation comes first and it is supreme. Nobody should dare to disrespect the national heroes or celebrate the adversaries.On a question about the legacy of Pandit Prem Nath Dogra, the BJP leader said the people will tread the path chartered by him. He said Jammu has great contributions in expansion of the Jammu and Kashmir state and referred to the heroic contribution of General Zorawar Singh, Brigadier Khuda Baksh and the other warriors. He said Jammu and Kashmir was, is and remains a beautiful vase of different flowers. Hindu, Muslim, Sikhs and Buddhists reflect the great ethos of this part of the country, he added.Earlier, while inaugurating Lifestyle Trade Fair at Gole Market Gandhi Nagar here, Mr Devender Rana said that trade fairs open up new avenues and vistas of opportunities to entrepreneurs to show-case their produce and to build a bonding with prospective customers, BJP leader and former legislator Mr Devender Singh Rana today observed that such a proposition attains added significance in the present era of start-ups.“with the online business gaining momentum, the holding of trade fairs ensures better understanding and connect between the producers and the customers, which eventually helps in fine tuning the production as per market trends”, he added.Mr Rana described the holding of such events better for business avocations due to the element of healthy competition between manufacturers and marketing players. Such a competition has potential to give a boost to productivity and percolating down the benefits to clientele at large. Such fairs also benefit the manufacturer to know about the requirements of consumers, he added.He lauded the efforts of the organisers and participants in making the trade fair a big event, catching the imagination of the larger clientele of the Temple City. He hoped this will serve as an inspiration for the budding entrepreneurs, especially those who have opted for utilising their talent as start ups in the wake of incentives tailored by the government.Mr Rana noted with satisfaction the strides being made by young entrepreneurs of Jammu and Kashmir in becoming job providers rather than ending up as job seekers after attaining academic and professional qualifications. This trend needs to be encouraged to give impetus to productivity and employability, he maintained.The trade fair has been organised by Messers Sharma Brothers and the brain behind the event is Arun Sharma.Mr Rana went through the fair and was apprised by the organisers that vendors from different parts of country have displayed their goods, which include iron and wooden furniture, readymade garments and hosiery like jackets, ladies suits, handloom items, kitchenware, footwear and various unique products. Food stalls were also set up, which attracted consumers in a big way.Mr Rana complimented the organisers and wished them huge success in their endeavours of promoting trade and business in this part of the country. Prominent among those present on the occasion included Dharamveer Singh Jamwal, Junaid Choudhary, Khalid Malik, Ajay Sharma and others.
