Jammu, Oct 31 – Devender Singh Rana, a prominent BJP leader, MLA from Nagrota, and a well-regarded businessman in Jammu and Kashmir, passed away on Tuesday evening at a private hospital in Faridabad. He was 59 years old and had been battling health issues for some time before being admitted to the hospital where he ultimately succumbed.
Rana’s passing marks the loss of a significant political figure known for his extensive public service and influence in J&K’s political landscape. He is survived by his mother, wife, and three children—two daughters and a son—as well as two brothers, including Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, and Satinder Singh, a retired engineer.
With a political career that spanned several decades, Devender Rana first served as a political advisor to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah during the NC-Congress coalition government from 2009 to 2014. In 2014, he transitioned from his role as a Member of the Legislative Council to win the Legislative Assembly seat for Nagrota on a National Conference ticket. Known for his dynamic leadership and dedication to his constituency, Rana made a notable shift in his political career by joining the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2021. His influence remained strong, as he later secured the Nagrota Assembly seat with a significant margin in the September-October elections, reinforcing his popularity and standing in Jammu and Kashmir’s political arena.
Apart from his political commitments, Rana was also a prominent businessman, widely respected for his contributions to the region’s economic and social fabric. His remains are being transported to his residence in Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, where friends, colleagues, and supporters are expected to pay their last respects.