Union Minister Jitender Singh’s brother and J&K BJP MLA Devender Singh Rana dies at 59, condolences pour in

Senior BJP leader and Nagrota MLA Devender Singh Rana, the brother of Union Minister Jitendra Singh, passed away on Thursday at the age of 59 in a inner most sanatorium in Faridabad, Haryana, where he had been receiving treatment. He leaves at the back of his wife, Gunjan Rana, two daughters, Devyani and Ketki, and a son, Adhiraj Singh.

Following his death, a wave of condolences swept through Jammu, with hundreds, including political figures, gathering at his Gandhinagar residence. Union Minister Jitendra Singh also rushed to his brother’s home to be with the family.

Known for his advocacy for the Dogra community, Rana had transitioned from a a hit business career to politics, where he changed into a prominent voice for Jammu’s interests. Recently, he had won re-election to the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly from the Nagrota constituency, marking his 2d term as MLA.

About Devender Singh Rana

Devender Singh Rana, a seasoned little one-kisser and former National Conference (NC) leader, held a unprecedented position in Jammu and Kashmir’s political landscape. Born in 1965 into a respected Dogra family in Doda district, he changed into the son of former bureaucrat Rajinder Singh Rana and the brother of Union Minister Jitendra Singh.

With a civil engineering degree from NIT Kurukshetra, Rana to initiate with pursued a career in business, founding the Jamkash Vehicleades Group, a multi-crore automobile enterprise, along with a native cable TV channel. His success established him as one among Jammu and Kashmir’s notable businessmen.

Rana’s political journey began with the National Conference, where he served as an in depth advisor to Omar Abdullah for the duration of his tenure as chief minister, influencing policies and expanding the NC’s base, in particular in Jammu.

As Provincial President, he strengthened ties with a broad spectrum of communities, including Muslims and the Gujjar community. In his political debut, Rana won the Nagrota seat contained within the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, a BJP stronghold. His growing influence changed into evident in his role as an MLC and his leadership contained within the NC.

Following the abrogation of Article 370, Rana championed the Jammu Declaration, advocating for the restoration of Jammu’s statehood in contrast to the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration, which often known as for full regional statehood restoration.

In 2021, after over two decades with the NC, Rana joined the BJP. His deep roots contained within the Jammu region and shut connections with local communities made him a prominent figure in J&K politics, in particular for the BJP.

Condolences pour-in

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed shock and grief over Rana’s sudden demise. “In his passing, we've lost a patriotic and widely respected leader who changed into committed to the well-being of the people of J&K. I extend my deepest condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti,” the LG’s place of work posted on X.

Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary also expressed condolences. “This news is very disheartening on an auspicious day (Diwali). My condolences are extended to his family and PMO @DrJitendraSingh ji on the shortcoming of his younger brother. Deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. Om Shanti,” Choudhary wrote on X.

Very much surprised to hear in regards to the sudden demise of Devender Rana ji. Senior leader of the BJP and my colleague contained within the Legislative Assembly. This news is very disheartening on an auspicious day. My condolences are extended to his family and PMO @DrJitendraSingh ji on the shortcoming of his… percenttwitter.com/epwC0bk2rO

— Surinder Choudhary (@Surinderch55) October 31, 2024

PDP chief and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti also offered her condolences. “Very much surprised to hear in regards to the sudden demise of Devender Rana Ji. Deepest condolences to his family and loved ones,” Mufti said on X.

The Jammu and Kashmir BJP said his untimely demise is an unbelievable loss to the birthday party and to the people of J&K. “His contribution and dedication to society will always be remembered. May his soul rest in peace, and can God provide strength to his family to bear this irreparable loss,” the birthday party posted on X.

Congress National General Secretary and MLA Ghulam Ahmed Mir expressed his shock and sorrow over Rana’s death.

“My heartfelt condolences to the family, relatives, and friends of the deceased. Having interacted with him in politics and beyond, Rana changed into an unbelievable, supportive, and visionary leader, an entrepreneur whose business acumen created opportunities for many in J&K,” Mir wrote on X.

Other political leaders including Sajad Lone, Junaid Matoo, Sunil Sharma, Tarun Chugh, Sham Lal Sharma, Choudhary Zulfikar Ali also offered their condolences on Rana’s passing.