Indian Kashmir CM Mufti Sayeed dies

AFP, SRINAGAR: Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, chief minister of India’s restive Kashmir region and one of the country’s best-known Muslim politicians, died on Thursday, an official said.
The 79-year-old, whose party is in a controversial coalition with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist party in the Himalayan region, is likely to be succeeded as chief minister by his daughter.
Sayeed died in hospital in New Delhi after being admitted on December 24 suffering from a respiratory illness, a hospital official told AFP.
His daughter Mehbooba Mufti, current head of the moderate People’s Democratic Party (PDP) that he founded in 1999, is widely expected to take over as the state’s first female chief minister.
He will be given a state funeral in Kashmir, with Modi expected to attend.
“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,” the prime minister tweeted, using an honorific denoting respect.
Sayeed’s PDP controversially went into coalition in Jammu and Kashmir state with Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party after state elections at the end of 2014.

Indian Kashmir CM Mufti Sayeed dies

AFP, SRINAGAR: Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, chief minister of Indias restive Kashmir region and one of the countrys best-known Muslim politicians, died on Thursday, an official said. The 79-year-old, whose party is in a controversial coalition with Prime Minister Narendra Modis Hindu nationalist party in the Himalayan region, is likely to be succeeded as chief minister by his daughter. Sayeed died in hospital in New Delhi after being admitted on December 24 suffering from a respiratory illness, a hospital official told AFP. His daughter Mehbooba Mufti, current head of the moderate Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that he founded in 1999, is widely expected to take over as the states first female chief minister. He will be given a state funeral in Kashmir, with Modi expected to attend. Mufti Sahabs demise leaves a huge void in the nation in JK, where his exemplary leadership had a major impact on peoples lives, the prime minister tweeted, using an honorific denoting respect. Sayeeds PDP controversially went into coalition in Jammu and Kashmir state with Modis Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party after state elections at the end of 2014.