Devender Rana's untimely demise shocking: PM Modi

Srinagar, Nov 01: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the “untimely demise” of Devender Singh Rana was shocking.

In a post on X, Modi wrote: “Shri Devender Singh Rana Ji’s untimely demise is shocking. He was a veteran leader, who worked diligently towards Jammu and Kashmir’s progress. He had just won the Assembly polls and had also played a noteworthy role in making the BJP stronger in J&K. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with his family and supporters. Om Shanti.”

Rana, as per party sources, breathed his last in a Delhi hospital where he was admitted for the past couple of days. He was 59.

Rana, the younger brother of the Union Minister of State in PMO Jitendra Singh, in the recently concluded assembly elections, created waves by winning the Nagrota assembly segment with the highest margin of 30472 votes, defeating National Conference’s Joginder Singh. He had won this seat earlier in 2014, resisting the strong Modi wave, as a National Conference candidate.

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

As per family sources, his mortal remains will be brought to Jammu and his last rites will be performed on Friday.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and senior J&K leaders across the political spectrum have expressed shock and grief over his sudden demise.