Locals Mourn the Loss of BJP MLA Devender Rana: Tributes from PM Modi and CM Abdullah

Jammu: BJP MLA Devender Singh Rana, who passed away late Thursday night, was a well-known entrepreneur and a key political figure often referred to as the "voice of Jammu'.

Rana passed away at a hospital in Faridabad, Haryana , after a short illness. He was 59 years old.

Rana leaves behind a rich legacy, survived by his wife, two daughters, and a son. His remarkable journey took him from founding a successful multi-crore automobile company to becoming a prominent political leader who passionately championed the idea of a "Dogra chief minister" in Jammu and Kashmir.

Born in 1965 in Doda district to a Dogra family, Rana was the son of former bureaucrat Rajinder Singh Rana and the younger brother of Jitendra Singh, who serves as the Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

Rana's residence witnessed a long queue of mourners from early morning to offer their condolences to the family.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed shock at the death of Rana and said his "untimely demise is shocking".

In a post on X, the prime minister said, "...He (Rana) 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 Jammu and Kashmir." "In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with his family and supporters. Om Shanti," he added.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed grief over Rana's untimely passing.

"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.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who visited Rana's residence on Friday afternoon, posted an emotional message on his X handle, saying, "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.

Union minister Singh said the untimely passing of Rana, his younger brother, was an irreparable, deep personal loss.

"Untimely demise of my brother Devender Singh Rana is a deep personal loss, which is not only irreparable and painful, but the void created will continue to haunt me for the rest of my life. I sincerely thank all those standing by me and the family in these testing times," he said on X.

A civil engineer by training, Rana graduated from National Institute of Technology (NIT), Kurukshetra, and ventured into business, founding the Jamkash Vehicleades group, which became a leading automobile company in Jammu and Kashmir.

His entrepreneurial spirit and leadership established him as one of the top businessmen in the region.

Rana's political career began at a young age when he joined the National Conference. He quickly rose to prominence as a key strategist, serving as the provincial president and political advisor to Abdullah.

His ability to connect with both Hindus and Muslims, particularly the Gujjar community, solidified his reputation as a trusted leader.

In the recent assembly election, Rana won the Nagrota seat by a margin of 30,472 votes, demonstrating his capacity to unite diverse voter bases.

Rana was also a vocal advocate for the Jammu Declaration, which sought the restoration of statehood for the Jammu region following the August 2019 abrogation of Article 370.

His political journey took a new turn in October 2021 when he resigned from the National Conference and joined the BJP.

Throughout his political career, Rana remained committed to issues of regional empowerment and unity among various communities.

His dedication and influence in Jammu and Kashmir's political landscape will be remembered by many who had the privilege of knowing him.

Always seen with a smile, Rana will be remembered for his patient listening and genuine connection with the people.

His untimely passing leaves a significant void in the hearts of his family, friends, and the communities he passionately served.

(With PTI inputs)