Devender Singh Rana, a prominent leader in the Bharatiya Janata Party and Member of the Legislative Assembly from the Nagrota constituency in Jammu and Kashmir, passed away at 59 on Thursday. Rana had been undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Faridabad, Haryana, according to a party spokesperson.
Devender Singh Rana’s Background and Political Journey
Devender Singh Rana, a businessman-turned-politician, was the younger brother of Union Minister Jitendra Singh. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and a son. Known for his shift in political alignment, Rana transitioned from the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference to the Bharatiya Janata Party in October 2021. Previously, he had been a close associate of Omar Abdullah and represented the National Conference in Jammu and Kashmir.
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In the latest Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, Rana won the Nagrota constituency seat, defeating his nearest rival, Joginder Singh of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, by a decisive margin of 30,472 votes. Notably, Rana had first secured the Nagrota seat in the 2014 elections under the National Conference banner, overcoming the significant momentum of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s “Modi wave” that year.
In addition to politics, Rana was a well-known figure in Jammu and Kashmir’s business landscape. He founded JamKash Vehicleads, which became a leading Maruti car dealership in North India. He also ventured into the media with the creation of TakeOne TV.
Tributes and Condolences:
Devender Singh Rana’s influence and rapport with the people of Jammu made him a key figure within the region’s political sphere. As news of his passing spread, politicians from various parties expressed their condolences. Supporters, colleagues, and friends gathered at his Gandhi Nagar residence in Jammu to honor his memory and support his grieving family.
Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha conveyed his sympathy, acknowledging Rana as a patriotic leader devoted to the welfare of the union territory. People’s Democratic Party leader Mehbooba Mufti also expressed her condolences, saying on X (formerly Twitter), “Shocked to hear about the sudden demise of Devender Rana ji. Deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.”
Rana’s legacy as a politician and businessman will be remembered as he leaves a lasting impact on Jammu and Kashmir.
