Devender Rana, BJP's voice in Jammu, dies; Omar Abdullah's moving tribute

Union Minister Jitender Singh's younger brother Devender Singh Rana died at the age of 59 in Faridabad due to prolonged illness. He was a BJP MLA from Nagrota in Jammu region and his last rites may be held on Friday.

In Short

• Devender Rana recently won Nagrota Assembly seat by a huge margin
• He was a strong voice for Dogra community in the Jammu region
• His body is expected to reach Jammu for last rites on Friday

Devender Singh Rana, a BJP MLA from Jammu and Kashmir and the younger brother of Union Minister Jitendra Singh, died due to prolonged illness at a hospital in Faridabad on Thursday. He was 59. Rana was recently elected to Jammu region's Nagrota Assembly seat in Jammu region and was considered to be a strong voice for the region's influential Dogra community.

Once a trusted lieutenant of Omar Abdullah during the latter's first term as the Chief Minister, Rana resigned from the National Conference in October 2021 after over two decades with the party before joining the BJP.

In a moving tribute, Omar Abdullah expressed shock over Devender Rana's demise, saying the news was yet to sink 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," the J&K Chief Minister tweeted.

Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary called it "disheartening".

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha condoled the death of Rana. "I am deeply grieved to learn of the untimely demise of Devender Singh Rana ji. In his passing away, we have lost a patriotic and widely respected leader, who was committed to the well-being of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. I extend my deepest condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti," he wrote on X.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti also expressed her condolences to the family, saying, "Shocked to hear about the sudden demise of Devender Rana ji. Deepest condolences to his family and loved ones."

"Rana was a prominent political figure in Jammu and Kashmir. His sudden demise has left the BJP and his supporters in shock," BJP spokesperson Sajid Yousuf said.

Former vice-chancellor of Jammu University, Amitabh Mattoo, said, "Very sad to hear of the passing away of the larger than life Devender Rana, a remarkable entrepreneur and political leader. Knew him well as vice-chancellor of the University of Jammu. He was - without a doubt - a very gifted leader and once a great confidant of Omar Abdullah."

A former businessman, Rana registered the highest winning margin of 30,472 votes against his nearest National Conference rival Joginder Singh in the recently-held Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections to retain his Nagrota seat for a second term. He had earlier won from Nagrota in the 2014 polls on a National Conference ticket.

As the news of Rana's death spread, his party colleagues, friends and supporters thronged his Gandhi Nagar residence in Jammu to express their condolences to the bereaved family.

Rana is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son.

Jitender Singh reached Jammu on getting the news of his brother's death. Rana's body is expected to reach the city for the last rites on Friday.

(with inputs from PTI)