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

Sources said that Rana resigned from 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 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 Devinder Singh Rana and Surjit Singh Slathia.

A spokesman of National Conference said  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 strong influence in the assembly segments represented by them in the past.

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