New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi today condoled the death of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and said his contribution to public service will always be remembered.
Expressing his heartfelt condolences on the passing away of Sayeed, the President said, "Contribution of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to Jammu and Kashmir and India through long years of public service will always be remembered."
The Prime Minister said that his demise leaves a huge void in the nation and that the leader who provided a healing touch would be missed.
"Mufti Sahab provided a healing touch to J&K through his leadership. He will be missed by all of us. Condolences to his family & supporters," he said in a tweet.
"What stood out about Mufti Sahab was his statesmanship. In his long political journey he won many admirers across the political spectrum," his another tweet reads.
The Prime Minister also said Mufti's demise leaves a "huge void in the nation and in J&K, where his exemplary leadership had a major impact on people's lives".
Politicians condole Mufti's demise
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said he was deeply pained to learn of Sayeed's demise. "He was known for his love for common people, especially the underprivileged."
The Home Minister, who met Sayeed's family in AIIMS soon after his death, said "Mufti Sayeed ji had a wonderful understanding of complex issues pertaining to J&K. He wanted to bring permanent peace to the Valley."
The demise of Mufti Sayeed is an "irreparable loss" to Jammu and Kashmir. His departure has also left a big void in national politics, he said.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condoled the death of Sayeed. "Just heard the terrible news of Mufti Sahib's passing away. I'm shocked and deeply saddened. May he rest in peace," he said in a tweet.
Omar went to AIIMS and expressed his condolences to the family.
Former Union Minister Farooq Abdullah also condoled the death of Sayeed and said he was deeply saddened by his death.
CPI-M leader in the state Mohammed Yusuf Tarigami also condoled the death of Sayeed and said "the state had lost a leader who had given valuable contribution for building peace in the region".
Congress president Sonia Gandhi also expressed grief over the demise of Mufti as she communicated her condolences to his wife, daughter Mehbooba Mufti and other well-wishers.
"In his death, the state of Jammu and Kashmir as indeed the entire nation has lost a great leader," she said.
Recalling his long association with the Congress party, she said Mufti's contribution as a "humanist and to public life in various capacities will forever be remembered."
BJP president Amit Shah said he was "deeply saddened" on hearing the news of Mufti's death as he called him a "rare politician."
"Many condolences to his family and supporters in this hour of grief," Shah said.
Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Nirmal Singh said the state will miss Mufti in its governance and political pursuits.
"It is a very sad news. We wanted him to guide us. Like he was doing in the last ten months. Now it has come as a great shock for the government as well as the state. He was a national leader. He was having a vision not only in terms of Jammu and Kashmir but also of India....(it was) his inclusive approach and it was for the first time that the people of Jammu and Kashmir were feeling that it was our government," Singh said.
"This government which believes in transparency...it was here...but unfortunately he is not amongst us. We were wishing early recovery for him but unfortunately this was not possible. It is very sad for us," Singh added.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed passed away here on Thursday, 14 days after he was hospitalised. The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) said he breathed his last at 9.10 am.
