J&K BJP MLA Devender Singh Rana dies at 59

Devender Singh Rana died at the age of 59 | Photo Credit: Sandeep Saxena

Senior BJP leader and sitting MLA from Nagrota Assembly constituency in Jammu and Kashmir, Devender Singh Rana, 59, died at a private hospital in Haryana’s Fraidabad on Thursday, a party spokesperson said.

Rana was the younger brother of Union minister Jitendra Singh. The exact cause of his death is not yet known.

From building a conglomerate from scratch to becoming a prominent politician who wielded influence in the corridors of power, Rana was a powerful voice in the Dogra community that ruled Jammu state.

He was recently elected to the JK Assembly from Nagrota constituency in Jammu district.

Expressing shock over Rana’s death, Deputy Chief Minister of JK, Surinder Kumar Choudhary, wrote to X, “This news is very disappointing on a difficult day. My condolences to his family and PMO @DrJitendraSingh ji on the loss of his little one. Om Shanti He sends his condolences to his family and loved ones.

Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti also expressed her condolences to the family, saying, “I am shocked to hear about the death of Devinder Rana ji.

Former vice-chancellor of Jammu University, Amitabh Mattoo, said, “Deeply saddened to hear of the passing away of Devender Rana, a brilliant businessman and political leader. They knew him well as the vice-chancellor of Jammu University. He was – undoubtedly – a gifted leader and once a great confidant of Omar Abdullah .” Rana is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son.

“Rana was a prominent political figure in Jammu and Kashmir. His sudden death has left the BJP and its supporters in shock,” said BJP spokesperson Sajid Yousuf.

The businessman-turned-politician registered the highest winning margin of 30,472 votes against his nearest National Conference rival Joginder Singh in the recently held Assembly elections to retain his Nagrota seat for the second term.

He had earlier won from Nagrota in the 2014 Assembly elections on a National Convention ticket.

A former loyalist of Omar Abdullah during his tenure as chief minister, Rana resigned from the NC in October 2021 after more than two decades with the party before joining the BJP.

His deep roots in the Jammu section and his ties to the local communities made him a popular figure in the politics of the region, especially the BJP.

As the news of his death spread, his teammates, friends and fans flocked to his residence in Gandhi Nagar in Jammu to offer condolences to the bereaved family.

The body of the deceased is expected to reach Jammu for last rites on Friday.

AICC General Secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir, People’s Conference Chairman Sajad Lone, BJP leader and former minister Chowdhary Zulfikar Ali took to social media to condole Rana’s death.