Jammu, Nov 1: In an outpouring of grief and respect, hundreds gathered on Friday in Jammu to bid farewell to Devender Singh Rana, a senior BJP leader and MLA, whose sudden demise has sent shockwaves through Jammu and Kashmir. The cremation, held at Shastri Nagar crematorium, drew an extensive crowd, including prominent political figures, family, friends, and community members who came to honor the popular leader and businessman.
Among those present were J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, J&K BJP President Ravinder Raina, BJP MP Jugal Kishore Sharma, Cabinet Minister Satish Sharma, along with senior civil and police officials, each paying tribute to Rana’s legacy as both a politician and social reformer.
Devender Singh Rana, once a prominent National Conference (NC) leader and political advisor to Omar Abdullah, switched to the BJP in 2021, strengthening the party’s foothold in the region. After first winning the Nagrota Assembly seat as an NC candidate in 2014, he secured re-election in 2024 as a BJP candidate, defeating NC’s Joginder Singh by an overwhelming margin of 30,000 votes, underscoring his political influence in the region. Rana is survived by his wife, two daughters, and a son.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed profound grief, describing Rana as a visionary leader dedicated to the progress of Jammu and Kashmir. In a heartfelt post on X, he said, “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 thoughts are with his family and supporters. Om Shanti.”
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also took to X, sharing memories of his time with Rana. “The terrible news from late last night isn’t really 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 & the memories. You have been taken from us all too soon & 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.”
Expressing shock, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha highlighted Rana’s patriotism and dedication to the people of J&K, stating, “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.”
Other leaders, including People’s Democratic Party Chief Mehbooba Mufti, extended their sympathies, with Mufti describing Rana’s passing as a great loss for Jammu and Kashmir. Congress National General Secretary and MLA Ghulam Ahmad Mir praised Rana’s supportive and visionary leadership, saying, “My heartfelt condolences to the family, relatives, and friends of the deceased. Having interacted with him in politics and beyond, Rana was a great, supportive, and visionary leader, an entrepreneur whose business acumen created opportunities for many in J&K.”
As the state mourns, Devender Singh Rana’s legacy as a dynamic leader, respected by friends and rivals alike, continues to resonate across Jammu and Kashmir.