Funeral prayers for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Muhammad Sayeed (79) were held at Srinagar’s Sher-i-Kashmir Cricket Stadium, the same venue where he hosted Prime Minister Narendra Modi two months ago.
He was buried in his ancestral town Bijbehara’s Dara Shikho graveyard, around 50 km from the capital late on Thursday evening.
“What stood out about Mufti Sahab was his statesmanship. In his long political journey, he won many admirers across the political spectrum. He provided a healing touch to J&K through his leadership. He will be missed by all of us,” said Mr. Modi.
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Mr. Rajnath and Union Minister Jatinder Singh also flew to Srinagar to participate in the last rites.
President Pranab Mukherjee in his condolence message said, “His contribution to public service will always be remembered.”
Congress president Sonia Gandhi said in Mr. Sayeed the nation had lost a great leader. “Muftiji’s contribution as a humanist and to public life in various capacities will forever be remembered,” she said.
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J&K Governor N.N. Vohra described Mr. Sayeed “as a senior seasoned politician.”