Their entry comes at a time when the powers of the J&K Assembly are at a historic low following the abrogation of special status in 2019 and the reorganisation of the state into two Union Territories.
Rana, 30, is the daughter of late Devender Rana, a senior political figure who was once a close aide of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah before joining the BJP. Devender Rana won the October 2024 Assembly polls but passed away in 2025. Devyani Rana subsequently won the November 2025 bypoll from Nagrota on a BJP ticket.
In her maiden speech, she said she was in the House to honour her father’s legacy and serve her constituency. While critical of the NC government’s Budget, she received applause across party lines.
Mehdi, 31, a lawyer with an LLM degree from Amity University, is the son of Aga Hassan, a prominent Shia cleric. He defeated his uncle, Aga Syed Mahmood of the National Conference, in Budgam.
