Only NC can safeguard J&K’s secular character: Rattan Lal

KALAKOTE, Sept 7: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Provincial President Jammu, Rattan Lal Gupta on Wednesday said that NC will continue its fight for restoring J&K’s identity with a clear-cut goal of safeguarding the aspirations of its pluralistic identities.

The Provincial President was speaking at the tribute rally being taken on the second death anniversary of Thakur Rashpal Singh, senior NC and former MLA at Kalakote.

The Provincial President said the party is fighting for safeguarding the interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir at various levels and the need of the hour is to strengthen the party ranks to meet the challenges during the ongoing struggle.  He asserted that only NC can fulfil the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir with its vision of a vibrant, progressive and united Jammu and Kashmir.

While paying tributes to senior NC leader, Rattan Lal Gupta said that Thakur Rashpal will always be remembered for his tireless contribution in ameliorating a lot of peasants, labour fraternity, weaker sections and downtrodden people of Jammu and Kashmir in general and Rajouri-Poonch belt in particular. He said his selfless service will remain a guiding force and inspiration for the younger generation of National Conference cadres.

Rattan Lal said that Th Rashpal Singh will be remembered for his qualities of head and heart, saying public good was the mission of his life. He recalled his services to the people of Jammu and Kashmir in general and Rajouri district in particular, saying his departure has left a big vacuum in the party which is hard to be filled.

Remembering Th Rashpal Singh, senior NC leader and President JKNC Pirpanjal, Javed Ahmed Rana described him as a leader par excellence, whose qualities of head and heart inspired the younger generation of the party cadre and motivated them to work for the betterment of people in whatever way they can. He worked hard to improve the condition of J&K farmers during Vice Chairperson Kissan Advisory Board, he added.

Earlier, a massive tribute rally was taken out in the Sunderbani-Kalakote constituency on the second death anniversary of Th Rashpal Singh. On the occasion, senior NC leader and President JKNC Pirpanjal, Javed Ahmed Rana; DDC Kalakote Smt Anita Thakur; DDC Dangri Th Rameshwar Singh, DDC Moghla Shamim Akther, Pardeep Bali, Shaifat Khan, Nirman, Laxmi Datta and District President Rajouri Rural, Ashok Sharma were also present.

Pertinent to mention here that Late Th Rashpal Singh started his career in 1983 by contesting MLA election from the Nowshera constituency and after this, he never looked back and continued to serve the people of Sunderbani and Kalakote areas irrespective of caste, colour and creed right up to 2020. He was two times MLA from the constituency and worked hard to provide basic amenities and ease the life of the people of Kalakote and Sunderbani. Till date, he continues to be remembered for improving the road connectivity infrastructure, promoting education, serving the people, etc during his tenure as two times MLA. It is in lieu of his great contributions that after his death people honoured Th Rashpal Singh with the title of Sher-e-Kalakote.

In rally, the people of Kalakote and Sunderbani have extended unstinted support to Th Yashu Vardhan Singh in the coming Assembly elections. This voice was raised in full pitch by the participants of a massive rally organized by National Conference Kalakote and Sunderbani workers here today to pay tributes to the former MLA Th Rashpal Singh on his second death anniversary.  The people exuded confidence that late Th Rashpal Singh’s son Th Yashu Vardhan Singh will aptly carry forward the rich public service of his father in the best interest of the people of this region.

Th Yashu Vardhan Singh, in his address, during the massive rally expressed gratitude to the people of the area for showering so much love and respect shown by them for his father and now himself. Thanking the people for extending unflinching support to him, he assured them that he will leave no stone unturned in serving the people of the region and ensuring that basic amenities are easily available to the people of Kalakote and Sunderbani areas. He assured to carry forward the legacy of public service of his father that has already created an indelible mark in the region.