BJP MLA Devender Singh Rana passes away

Senior BJP leader and sitting MLA from the Jammu and Kashmir 's Nagrota assembly Devender Singh Rana died at the age of 59 in a private hospital in Haryana's Fraidabad on Thursday, according to a party spokesman.

He was Union minister Jitendra Singh 's younger brother. The cause of death remains unknown.

Rana, who established a successful multi-crore business empire, later emerged as an influential political figure and a strong advocate for the Dogra community in the Jammu region. He had recently secured re-election to the J&K Assembly from Nagrota.

J&K Deputy chief minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary posted 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."

BJP of Jammu and Kashmir unit also took its X account and said that Rana's untimely demise is a "great loss to the party and to the people of J&K."

Mehbooba Mufti, PDP chief, expressed her condolences saying: "Shocked to hear about the sudden demise of Devinder Rana ji. Deepest condolences to his family and loved ones."

Former Jammu University vice-chancellor Amitabh Mattoo stated: "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."

Rana leaves behind his wife, two daughters, and a son. BJP spokesman Sajid Yousuf acknowledged the shock within the party and among supporters following Rana's unexpected death.

In recent elections, Rana retained his Nagrota seat with an impressive margin of 30,472 votes against National Conference candidate Joginder Singh. He had previously won the same seat in 2014 as a National Conference member.

After serving as Omar Abdullah's close associate during his chief ministership, Rana ended his two-decade association with NC in October 2021 to join BJP. His strong connection with Jammu's communities made him valuable to BJP's regional presence.

Following news of his death, supporters and colleagues gathered at his Gandhi Nagar residence in Jammu to offer condolences. His body is expected to arrive in Jammu for final rites on Friday.

Various political leaders, including AICC General Secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir, Peoples Conference Chairman Sajad Lone, and former minister Chowdhary Zulfikar Ali, shared their condolences on social media.