STATE TIMES NEWS
New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad on Thursday expressed profound grief and sorrow on the passing away of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and said the country has lost a “hard- core nationalist”.
In his condolence message, Azad said he was deeply saddened by his passing away. “My heart goes out in sympathy to Mrs Mufti, Mehbooba Mufti and members of the bereaved family.”
He said Sayeed’s death has created a void in the socio- political arena of the State and the country “which is very difficult to fill”.
Recalling his long association with Sayeed, Azad said, “He was a hard-core nationalist, a true democrat and a pro-people political leader who made enormous contribution to public life at the national and State level.”
“I have had a very close and personal relation with Mufti Sahab during his long political career. What made him matchlessly distinct were his indefatigable will, firmness of resolve and inexhaustible energy,” he said. Azad said “one would wonder how at the age of 80 he would work with relentless zeal and untiring energy” and added that “even one day before his illness he was touring Srinagar city in harsh winter condition”.
Describing him a self-respecting, seasoned and thinking politician, Azad said he relentlessly strove for the equitable development of all the regions of the State and envisioned unified, inclusive, pluralistic and progressive Jammu and Kashmir and a strong India. His qualities of head and heart, warmth and concern for others won him friends from across the political spectrum and made him dear to one and all, without any distinction of caste, colour and creed.
“We have lost a towering leader and a highly experienced politician who will be missed for a long time to come,” he said in his message.
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee chief, G.A Mir, in his condolence message, described Mufti as a great statesman and visionary leader, who served the people of the State in different capacities during his long political career.
He described him as a strong pillar of mainstream politics in the State, who firmly believed and strengthened the secular and democratic values.
Mir paid rich tributes to Mufti on behalf of the entire rank and file of the party and conveyed heartfelt condolences to the family members and prayed for peace to the departed soul.
In his condolence message, former Union Minister and senior Congress leader, Prof. Saifuddin Soz considered Mufti Sahib as one of seasoned politicians of India who had stood up for politics of secularism and pluralism.
The stance of choosing a difficult proposition by him in recent times could be characterised as a compulsion created by the peculiar political circumstances. It is another thing that people like me exercised their right to differ with him, he said.
“Mufti Sahib’s ‘Healing Touch’ philosophy had created an atmosphere of understanding for youth as he (Mufti) wanted the youth to play a role in Nation-Building,” Soz said.
Meanwhile, National Conference President Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Working President Omar Abdullah expressed heartfelt condolences with the bereaved family and Mufti Sahib’s supporters, Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah have conveyed their solidarity to them in this hour of mourning and loss.
Senior Party Leaders, Legislators, Former Ministers including NC General Secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar, Additional General Secretary Dr. Mustafa Kamal, Senior Leaders Abdul Rahim Rather, Mubarak Gul, Mian Altaf, Mohammad Akbar Lone, Chaudhary Mohammad Ramzan, Shameema Firdous, Nazir Gurezi, Chief Spokesperson Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, Provincial Presidents Devender Singh Rana and Nasir Aslam Wani, State Spokesperson Junaid Azim Mattu, Political Secretary to Working President Tanvir Sadiq and Provincial Youth Presidents Salman Ali Sagar and Ajaz Jan besides other leaders and office bearers have expressed grief and sorrow over Mufti Sahib’s demise and prayed for peace to the departed soul.
Earlier today, Omar Abdullah visited AIIMS, New Delhi after hearing of Mufti Sahib’s demise and expressed solidarity with the bereaved family.
