December 29, 2025 08:15 am (IST)
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J&K CM Mufti Mohammad Sayeed dies, daughter Mehbooba to take over
New Delhi, Jan 7 (IBNS) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed passed away at AIIMS in New Delhi on Thursday at age 79, succumbing to a lung infection.
Media reports said his daughter Mehbooba Mufti, who is now the president of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), will take over as the Chief Minister of the state on Monday after a swearing-in ceremony, thus becoming the first woman chief minister of the trouble-torn state where presently PDP is running the government with the BJP as its ally.
The end came at around 7.30 AM at AIIMS where he was put on ventilation after his condition deteriorated, said a spokesperson of PDP.
The body of Sayeed would be flown to Srinagar for people to pay their last respects. Reports said he is likely be laid to rest in his ancestral village in South Kashmir.
Mourning the death, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: "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."
PM Modi tweeted: "What stood out about Mufti Sahab was his statesmanship. In his long political journey he won many admirers across the political spectrum."
"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," tweeted Modi.
Former J&K CM Omar Abdullah, who is a political opponent, tweeted: "Just heard the terrible terrible news of Mufti Sahib's passing away. I'm shocked & deeply saddened. May he rest in peace."
PM Modi tweeted: "What stood out about Mufti Sahab was his statesmanship. In his long political journey he won many admirers across the political spectrum."
"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," tweeted Modi.
Former J&K CM Omar Abdullah, who is a political opponent, tweeted: "Just heard the terrible terrible news of Mufti Sahib's passing away. I'm shocked & deeply saddened. May he rest in peace."
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in a tweet condoled the death. "Saddened to hear about passing away of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed ji. My condolences to his family, people of J&K and party colleagues," she posted in her party's Twitter handle.
Sayeed assumed the charge as Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir for the second time on Mar 1, 2015.
Born in Baba Mohalla in Bijbehara town of district Anantnag on 12 January 1936, Mufti’s early life was typical of the new bourgeoisie that emerged in Kashmir in the middle of the century.
Having graduated from S P College in Srinagar, he went on to obtain a degree in law, and a post-graduate degree in Arab History from Aligarh Muslim University.
Although Mufti hoped to gain government employment, he was persuaded by his friends to start a law practice in Anantnag, and to join politics.
He joined the Anantnag Bar Association and briefly practiced as a lawyer.
Mufti after assuming charge as the Chief Minister of J&K in 2002, claimed to have crusaded the “Healing Touch” policy to repair the people’s hurt psyche, salvage their bruised dignity, rekindle a new hope in their hearts and motivate them to mould their destiny through a participatory political process.
After remaining in the Congress for better part of his life Mufti alongwith some likeminded associates and daughter Mehbooba Mufti founded Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 1999 and led the first PDP-Congress coalition government in the State from 2002 to 2005.
Sayeed assumed the charge as Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir for the second time on Mar 1, 2015.
Born in Baba Mohalla in Bijbehara town of district Anantnag on 12 January 1936, Mufti’s early life was typical of the new bourgeoisie that emerged in Kashmir in the middle of the century.
Having graduated from S P College in Srinagar, he went on to obtain a degree in law, and a post-graduate degree in Arab History from Aligarh Muslim University.
Although Mufti hoped to gain government employment, he was persuaded by his friends to start a law practice in Anantnag, and to join politics.
He joined the Anantnag Bar Association and briefly practiced as a lawyer.
Mufti after assuming charge as the Chief Minister of J&K in 2002, claimed to have crusaded the “Healing Touch” policy to repair the people’s hurt psyche, salvage their bruised dignity, rekindle a new hope in their hearts and motivate them to mould their destiny through a participatory political process.
After remaining in the Congress for better part of his life Mufti alongwith some likeminded associates and daughter Mehbooba Mufti founded Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 1999 and led the first PDP-Congress coalition government in the State from 2002 to 2005.
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