Body to Return to Jammu Overnight, Funeral Scheduled for Friday, Family Confirms
Jammu, Nov 01 (BANN): Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Nagrota MLA, Devender Singh Rana, passed away Thursday night in a Delhi hospital, leaving a void in Jammu and Kashmir’s business and political circles.
The influential politician, who was widely known for his thriving automobile business, JamKash Vehicleades, ranked among the wealthiest political figures in Jammu, with an estimated net worth over Rs 123 crore. His recent landslide victory in the Nagrota constituency established him as a key figure in the BJP, positioning him as a strong candidate for the party’s legislative leadership.
Rana was born in Doda and initially gained prominence in the business world before moving into politics. He served as a trusted advisor to former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in the National Conference (NC) before joining BJP in October 2021, along with Surjit Singh Slathia, after talks with Home Minister Amit Shah. His adeptness in building connections with diverse communities, including Gujjars and both Hindu and Muslim populations, significantly strengthened his influence in Jammu’s political landscape.
Family sources have indicated that his body will be transported to Jammu overnight, with funeral rites planned for Friday. Rana leaves behind his wife, children, and his brother, Dr. Jitendra Singh, a Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office.
