His demise is loss to not only Jammu and Kashmir but entire India and he will be remembered for his services.
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BJP veteran L K Advani noted that the former Union Home Minister had survived several attacks on his life by Kashmiri separatists opposed to Indian rule and hailed him for “successfully” leading the BJP-PDP coalition government.
Sayeed, an ally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, spent over six decades in politics and was known for his attempts to bring extremist elements into the political mainstream.
“Many condolences to his family and supporters in this hour of grief”, Mr Shah said.
A top elected pro-India leader of Kashmir, who tried to win over insurgent groups in the troubled region, died Thursday in a New Delhi hospital of pneumonia.
Sayeed’s coffin, draped in the National Tricolour and Red-and-White flag of Jammu and Kashmir, was later taken from his official residence to the ancestral graveyard in Anantnag.
The decision was made hours after CM Mufti Mohammad Sayeed died on Thursday at Delhi’s All India Medical Institute of Medical Sciences. He had soon been shifted to the Intensive Care Unit. He made vast contribution to the Nation, as Union Minister and also as Chief Minister.
With BJP giving clear signals for Mehbooba’s elevation to the coveted post, the mother to two daughters, is all set to become the first woman chief minister of the state.
Sayeed’s daughter and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti was already at the AIIMS.
Sayeed, who was appointed to lead the state for a second time previous year, formed an unlikely partnership with Mr Modi’s Hindu nationalist party.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to offer condolences, saying Sayeed “provided a healing touch to Kashmir through his leadership”.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condoled the death of Mr Sayeed.
Sayeed served as the Home Minister of India from December 1989 to November 1990 during the VP Singh government. I’m shocked & deeply saddened. “May his soul rest in peace”, Shivraj said in a tweet.
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Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Nirmal Singh said the state will miss Mufti Sayeed in its governance and political pursuits.
