The 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, as par Indian news media reports.
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”.
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 Sayeed’s death “leaves a huge void in the nation and J&K”, Modi said in a tweet. “What stood out about Mufti Sahab was his statesmanship.”
