Senior Jammu and Kashmir BJP leader Devender Singh Rana, brother of MP and Union Minister Dr Jitender Singh, passed away last night at a hospital in New Delhi. Rana was elected from the Nagrota assembly constituency in the recently held assembly elections. He is survived by his wife and three children, including two daughters and a son. He began his political career with the National Conference in the early 2000s and worked as an advisor to NC leader Omar Abdullah.
He was also a successful businessman in the automobile sector, and one of the promoters of JamKash Vehicleades. Rana was one of Jammu’s wealthiest political figures, with a reported net worth of over Rs 123 crore. His recent victory in the Nagrota Assembly seat, achieved with a record-breaking margin, had positioned him as a likely candidate for the BJP Legislative Party leader.
In October 2021, he joined the BJP alongside fellow politician Surjit Singh Slathia after discussions with Home Minister Amit Shah. He was recognised for his ability to engage with a wide range of communities, including Hindus, Muslims, and particularly the Gujjar community, which gave him considerable influence in Jammu’s political landscape. His cremation is scheduled for Friday.
Shri Devender Singh Rana Ji’s untimely demise is shocking. He was a veteran leader, who worked diligently towards Jammu and Kashmir’s progress. He had just won the Assembly polls and had also played a noteworthy role in making the BJP stronger in J&K. In this hour of grief, my… pic.twitter.com/ohmAFJ8UJl
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 1, 2024
Political leaders have expressed their condolences to his family following his passing. "The terrible news from late last night isn’t sinking in. I know the last few years have been marked by our differences, Devender, but I prefer to focus on the fun times we shared together, the excellent work we did together, and the memories. You have been taken from us all too soon and will be missed. May your soul rest in peace now, DSR. My heart goes out to your family as I struggle to find the words to convey my condolences to them," Abdullah wrote on X, sharing pictures of himself with Rana and Nasir Aslam Wani, a senior NC leader and advisor to Abdullah.
The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir also expressed condolences for Rana's demise, stating, "I am deeply grieved to learn of the untimely demise of Shri Devender Singh Rana Ji. In his passing, we have lost a patriotic and widely respected leader, who was committed to the well-being of the people of J&K. I extend my deepest condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti," Sinha posted on X.
