Jammu and Kashmir: Recently elected Nagrota MLA Devender Singh Rana dies at 59

PTC Web Desk: Devender Singh Rana, a prominent leader of the BJP and the sitting Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Nagrota constituency in Jammu and Kashmir, passed away on Thursday at the age of 59. He was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Faridabad, Haryana, as confirmed by a party spokesperson.

Devender Singh Rana, a businessman-turned-politician, was the younger brother of Union Minister Jitendra Singh. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and a son. Rana was earlier a close aide to Omar Abdullah and represented the National Conference (NC) before shifting his political allegiance to the BJP in October 2021.

In the recent Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, Rana secured the Nagrota seat, defeating his nearest rival, Joginder Singh of the JKNC, by a significant margin of 30,472 votes. His political journey began with the National Conference, where he won the Nagrota seat during the 2014 Assembly elections amid the BJP's "Modi wave."

In addition to his political career, Rana was a successful entrepreneur. As the founder of JamKash Vehicleads, he transformed the car market in Jammu and Kashmir, becoming the top Maruti car dealer in North India. He also established TakeOne TV, expanding his business interests into the media sector.

Rana was known for his deep connections within the Jammu division and his strong rapport with local communities, making him a significant figure in the region's political landscape, especially within the BJP. Politicians from across the spectrum expressed their condolences, and many party colleagues, friends, and supporters gathered at his residence in Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, to pay their respects and comfort his grieving family.