Fri Nov 01 10:20:04 UTC 2024: ## Jammu & Kashmir BJP Leader Devender Singh Rana Passes Away at 57
**Jammu:** Devender Singh Rana, a prominent BJP leader and MLA from the Nagrota Assembly constituency in Jammu & Kashmir, passed away late Thursday night at a hospital in Faridabad. He was 57.
Rana, known for his political acumen and business expertise, was the brother of Union Minister Jitendra Singh. He was considered a strong contender for the post of Leader of the Opposition in the Jammu & Kashmir Assembly.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over Rana’s demise, praising him as a senior leader who worked tirelessly for the progress of Jammu & Kashmir. “His untimely demise is shocking. He was a senior leader who worked diligently for the progress of Jammu and Kashmir. He had recently won the assembly elections and played a significant role in strengthening the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir. My condolences to his family and supporters in this hour of grief. Om Shanti,” PM Modi wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir Manoj Sinha also expressed condolences, describing Rana as a “patriot and widely respected leader who was dedicated to the welfare of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
Political leaders across the spectrum, including National Conference’s Omar Abdullah and Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir, expressed their sorrow and paid tribute to Rana’s contributions.
Rana, a civil engineer from NIT Kurukshetra, established his own automobile company and was a prominent businessman in Jammu & Kashmir. He began his political career with the National Conference, eventually winning the Nagrota seat in the 2014 assembly elections against BJP stalwart Jugal Kishore Sharma.
Rana, a key BJP leader, held the Nagrota seat again in the recent elections, defeating his closest rival Joginder Singh of the National Conference. His body is expected to arrive in Jammu on Friday.
**Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has criticized Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray for his support of the BJP, alleging that Thackeray is doing so out of concern for his son’s political future.** Raj Thackeray’s son, Aditya Thackeray, is set to enter politics from the Mahim Assembly constituency in the upcoming Maharashtra elections.
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