Devender Singh Rana, a prominent BJP leader and MLA from Nagrota, passed away tonight at a private hospital in Faridabad.
He was 59 years old. Rana is survived by his mother, wife, three children—two daughters and a son—and two brothers, including Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister in the PMO, and retired engineer Satinder Singh.
Rana, known as both a politician and a businessman in Jammu and Kashmir, had been unwell for some time.
His career in politics began when he served as the political advisor to then-Chief Minister Omar Abdullah during the NC-Congress coalition government (2009-2014).
Initially elected to the Legislative Council, Rana won the Legislative Assembly seat from Nagrota in 2014 representing the National Conference (NC) but joined the BJP in 2021.
In the recent Assembly elections, he was re-elected from Nagrota with a significant margin.
Arrangements are underway to bring Rana’s body to his residence in Gandhi Nagar, Jammu.