President, V-P, PM, Sonia express grief over Mufti Sayeed demise

AMN /

President Pranab Mukherjee has expressed grief on the passing away of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. In a tweet, Mr Mukherjee said, the contribution of Mr Sayeed to Jammu and Kashmir and India through long years of public service will be always remembered.

In his condolence message, Vice President Hamid Ansari Mufti Sayeed was an eminent statesman and a popular leader who made immense contribution to the progress and welfare of the state. He said, Mr Sayeed was a consensus builder and always placed the nation’s interest ahead of every other consideration.

In a tweet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, Mr Sayeed’s demise leaves a huge void in the nation and in Jammu and Kashmir, where his exemplary leadership had a major impact on people’s lives. He said, Mr Sayeed provided a healing touch to the state through his leadership and he will be missed by all. The Prime Minister said, what stood out about Mr Sayeed was his statesmanship and in his long political journey he won many admirers across the political spectrum.

In his condolence message, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said, the demise of Mr Sayeed is an irreparable loss to Jammu and Kashmir and it has also left a big void in national politics. He said, Mr Sayeed had a wonderful understanding of complex issues pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir and he wanted to bring permanent peace to the valley. The Home Minister said, he was known for his love for common people, specially the underprivileged.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley has expressed grief on the passing away of Mr Sayeed. In a tweet, Mr Jaitley said, Mr Sayeed passed away when the country and the the state of Jammu and Kashmir needed him the most. The Minister said, he was a true statesman amongst the politicians of the current era.

In her condolence message, Congress President Sonia Gandhi said, with the death of Mr Sayeed the the state of Jammu and Kashmir and the entire nation has lost a great leader. Recalling his long assotiation with Congress party, Mrs Gandhi said, Mr Sayeed’s contribution as a humanist and to public life in various capacities will forever be remembered.

BJP President Amit Shah has also condoled the death of Mr Sayeed. In a tweet, Mr Shah said, Mr Sayeed was a rare politician.

Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah has also condoled the demise of veteran leader. The death of Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayed has also been widely condoled in Kashmir valley. People cutting across party lines have termed it a great loss for the state and a moment of grief. The supporters and party workers are assembling at his residence and at his ancestral town in Bijbehara to mourn the death of their beloved leader. The party workers are awaiting both at Srinagar airport and at his residence, for the mortal remains to reach, to pay their last respects.

Senior BJP leader L.K. Advani on Thursday said that Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed always favoured unconditional talks to resolve the Kashmir problem.

“Mufti Sayeed survived several attacks on his life by Kashmiri separatists who oppose Indian rule. He was in favour of unconditional dialogue between the governments of India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir problem,” Advani said in a condolence message on Sayeed’s death.

“His demise is a loss to the people of Jammu and Kashmir as he was very popular in the state,” he added.

Advani also said that Sayeed led successfully the coalition government of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Peoples Democratic Party in Jammu and Kashmir.

“I deeply mourn Mufti Muhammad Sayeed’s passing away. May the departed soul rest in peace,” he said.