Chief Minister of Indian-held Kashmir and founder of Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mufti Mohammad Sayeed passed away here at the age of 79.
Sayeed had been hospitalised for a week and died of multiple organ failure.
He started his second tenure as chief minister of India-held Kashmir on March 1, 2015 after forming a coalition government with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He previously served as chief minister between 2002 and 2005.
Mufti Sayeed founded the Jammu and Kashmir PDP in July 1999 to “persuade the government of India to initiate an unconditional dialogue with Kashmiris for resolution of the Kashmir problem”.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled Mufti Sayeed’s death in a serious of tweets, and remembered the “healing touch” that he provided to the people of India-held Kashmir.
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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 7, 2016
Mufti Sahab’s demise leaves a huge void in the nation & in J&K, where his exemplary leadership had a major impact on people’s lives. RIP. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 7, 2016
What stood out about Mufti Sahab was his statesmanship. In his long political journey he won many admirers across the political spectrum.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 7, 2016
Former chief minister of India-held Kashmir Omar Abdullah also expressed sorrow at the demise of Mufti Sayeed, extending his sympathies for the chief minister’s family.
Sayeed is survived by his wife, three daughters including PDP President Mehbooba Mufti, and a son.
The mortal remains of the chief minister would be flown to Srinagar where the body will be kept for people to have the last glimpse of their leader. He is likely be buried in his ancestral village in south Kashmir.
Mehbooba Mufti set to take over as next CM
PDP is now headed by his daughter Mehbooba Mufti, who is tipped to become the next chief minister of India-held Kashmir after Mufti Sayeed’s death.
Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s last wish was peace between India and Pakistan
Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had said that the last wish of his 60-year-long political career was peace between India and Pakistan and said that the decision to forge an alliance with the BJP, the ruling party at the Centre, was to fulfill his dream.
“We had peace for 10 years after Vajpayee peace initiative from Kashmir. PM Modi should act like big brother in the region,” the Mufti had said at a rally on November 7, 2015 in Srinagar, which the Prime Minister Narendra Modi had attended.
Mr Sayeed will also be remembered for the controversial and much-discussed release of some top Kashmiri militants in exchange for his daughter Rubiya Sayeed when he was the home minister. Last year, he said it was the biggest regret of his life and that he would take that to his grave.