Fri Nov 01 19:02:45 UTC 2024: ## BJP MLA Devender Singh Rana Passes Away at 59

**Jammu:** Devender Singh Rana, a prominent BJP leader and MLA from Nagrota, passed away at the age of 59. He was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Faridabad, Haryana. Rana is survived by his wife Gunjan Rana, two daughters Devyani and Ketki, and a son Adhiraj Singh.

Known for his strong connection to the Dogra community in Jammu, Rana was a vocal advocate for restoring the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir. He was a close confidante of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and played a significant role in shaping the National Conference’s (NC) strategies in Jammu.

Rana’s political journey saw him switch allegiances from the NC to the BJP in October 2021. This move came after a successful electoral run in the 2021 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, where he defeated his closest rival Joginder Singh of the JKNC by a significant margin of 30,472 votes.

His victory in the Nagrota constituency was particularly notable as it was considered a stronghold of the BJP. Prior to his BJP membership, Rana had won the same seat on an NC ticket in the 2014 assembly elections, despite the BJP’s “Modi wave” across the country.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed his condolences on Rana’s demise, calling him a “patriot and widely respected leader”.

Rana’s death has left a void in the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir. He will be remembered for his dedication to his constituency and his contributions to the state.

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