NVI Correspondent

Jammu, Nov 01(NVI): Hundreds gathered the cremation of senior BJP leader and sitting MLA Devender Singh Rana in Shastri Nagar crematorium in Jammu city on Friday.

Rana (59), passed away at a private hospital in Haryana’s Fraidabad on late Thursday.

Various leaders including 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, and various senior civil and police officers visited the family and offered condolences.

Rana won the Nagrota Assembly constituency in 2014 as a National Conference (NC) candidate and retained it as a BJP candidate in 2024, defeating his nearest rival, Joginder Singh of the NC, by over 30,000 votes.

Omar Abdullah traveled to Jammu to pay respects and offered condolences to Rana’s family.

Rana’s family members, along with Raina, Sharma, and MLA Pawan Gupta, carried his body during the ceremony.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed shock at Rana’s death, calling him a veteran leader who contributed to the region’s progress.

“Shri 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,” he said in a post on X.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed grief, highlighting Rana’s dedication to the region.

“Devendra ji, who was always dedicated to the peace and development of Jammu and Kashmir and the interests of the people, made an invaluable contribution to the progress of the region. His demise is an irreparable loss for the BJP family. I express my condolences to his family and supporters,” he said.

Rana began his career in the National Conference, serving as an adviser to Abdullah and later as Provincial President before joining the BJP in October 2021.

He gained recognition as a successful entrepreneur and was known for his ability to engage with diverse audiences. His first major political victory was in the Nagrota assembly seat, a traditionally BJP stronghold.

Rana advocated for a Dogra chief minister and the restoration of statehood for Jammu, aiming to empower the region. He built connections with both Hindu and Muslim communities, particularly the Gujjars, establishing himself as a key figure in Jammu’s politics.

“I am deeply grieved to learn of the untimely demise of Shri Devender Singh Rana Ji. In his passing away, we have lost a patriotic & widely respected leader, who was committed to well-being of the people of J&K. I extend my deepest condolences to his family & friends. Om Shanti,” LG Manoj Sinha said.

“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 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,” he said.

Former Governor of Jammu and Kashmir NN Vohra on Friday remembered Nagrota MLA Devender Singh Rana as a rare gentleman politician and said in his untimely demise J&K politics had lost an effective leader.

In a condolence message issued here today, Vohra said, “I am deeply saddened to learn about the untimely passing away of Devender Rana, whom I had known for many years as a highly intelligent person and an exceptionally rare example of a gentleman- politician.”

The Former governor added that in Rana’s sad departure, the J&K polity and the Jammu region had lost a very popular and effective leader who still had a  long innings ahead of him for serving his people.
“May the departed soul rest in eternal peace,” NN Vohra said.

J-K Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary said in a post on X, “This news is especially disheartening on an auspicious day. My condolences are extended to his family and the PMO @DrJitendraSingh ji on the loss of his younger brother. Deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. Om Shanti.”

Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti also expressed her condolences to the family, saying, “Shocked to hear about the sudden demise of Devinder Rana ji. Deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.”                                                                      (News Vibes of India)