Omar Abdullah, Jitendra Singh and hundreds attending Rana’s tearful last rites

Prime Minister Omar Abdullah and Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh was among the hundreds who bid a tearful farewell to veteran political leader Devender Singh Rana on Friday as his last rites were held here.

Rana, a sitting BJP MLA and a prominent voice for the Dogra community in the Jammu region, died at a hospital in Faridabad on Thursday after a prolonged illness. He was 59 and had a wide circle of friends throughout the country.

Omar Abdullah came here from Srinagar to pay tribute to his old friend Rana. He first visited Rana’s house and then attended the last rites at Shastri Nagar cremation ground. Deputy CM Surinder Chaudhary accompanied Omar.

Rana is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son.

Political leaders across party lines expressed their condolences on his death. Rana was the younger brother of Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh.

Rana was a committed leader and a pillar of the National Conference for decades before joining the BJP in 2021. He won the recent Assembly elections from Nagrota seat on a BJP ticket with the highest vote margin in J&K. Previously, in 2014, he won the same seat as a National Conference candidate. He also served as a political advisor with ministerial status to then Prime Minister Omar Abdullah.

Prime Minister Narendra expressed his grief over his death and wrote on X; “The untimely death of defender Singh Rana Ji is shocking. He was an experienced leader, who worked diligently for the progress of Jammu and Kashmir. He had just won the Assembly elections and had also played a notable role in strengthening the BJP in J&K. In this hour of sorrow, my thoughts are with his family and supporters.”

Home Minister Amit Shah wrote about His death is an irreparable loss to the BJP family.”

BJP President and Health Minister JP Nadda said, “His dedication to public service and contributions towards the development of the people of Jammu and Kashmir will be remembered. His departure is an irreparable loss for the party.”

Dr. Jitendra Singh mourned the death of his younger brother Rana and wrote on keep chasing. the rest of my life. I sincerely thank everyone who supports me and the family in these difficult times.”

Former Governor NN Vohra also mourned Rana’s death, describing him as “a very intelligent person and an exceptionally rare example of a gentleman politician. With his sad departure, the J&K polity and the Jammu region have lost a very popular and effective leader.”

Lieutenant Governor of J&K Manoj Sinha said; “In his passing, we have lost a patriotic and widely respected leader, who was committed to the welfare of the people of J&K.”

While Rana’s departure from the National Conference came as a shock to the Abdullahs, Prime Minister Omar Abdullah paid heartfelt tribute to his late friend. Omar wrote on X, alongside three photos with Rana: ‘The terrible news late last night doesn’t really sink in. I know the past few years have been marked by our differences, Devender, but I’d rather focus on the good times we shared. together, the excellent work we did together and the memories. You were taken from us far too soon and you will be missed. May your soul now rest in peace DSR. My heart goes out to your family as I struggle to find the words to express my condolences to them.”

Former CM and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti was among those who mourned Rana’s death.