“Shri Sayeed’s contribution to Jammu and Kashmir and India through long years of public service will be always remembered”, he said.
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Tamil Nadu Governor K Rosaiahand Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa condoled the death ofJammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed who passed away in New Delhi today.
His death was announced by party leader and Kashmir state Education Minister Nayeem Akhter.
However, PDP failed to retain power in 2008 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections but Sayeed wrested power in 2015 Assembly election after forming a critical alliance with Bharatiya Janata Party.
Sayeed, who was appointed to lead the state for a second time a year ago, formed an unlikely partnership with Modi’s Hindu nationalist party to govern state for the first time.
Sayeed was associated with Indian Congress party for a long time and in 1999 founded his own at regional level – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He rejoined the Congress, he did put forward his daughter Mehbooba who won the 1996 state assembly election from Bijbehara on a Congress ticket when the National Conference won the election and Farooq Abdullah returned once again as chief minister.
The mortal remains of Sayeed were flown in a special Indian Air Force plane to Srinagar and are likely to be buried at his ancestral village in Bijbehara in South Kashmir.
While expressing his heartfelt condolences, he prayed to the Almighty to bestow peace on the departed soul and give fortitude to the bereaved family to bear this huge loss.
“Mufti Sahab provided a healing touch to J&K through his leadership”.
Sonia Gandhi, Congress President also shown grief over the death of Mufti as she communicated her condolences to his wife, daughter Mehbooba Mufti and other well-wishers.
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A two-time chief minister, Sayeed was considered one of the most astute and experienced politicians of J&K with a political career spanning almost six decades. She was later released in exchange for five jailed rebels. India and Pakistan have fought two wars over Kashmir and clashes across their disputed frontier there do occur, although a 2003 ceasefire has largely held.
