Jammu and Kashmir Minister, and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Syed Mushtaq Bukhari passed away on Wednesday in the Pamrote Surankote area of Poonch district. Bukhari, who was BJP's candidate from Surankote Assembly segment, died this morning at his home. He was 75.
He was a two-time former legislator from Surankote in Poonch district. Bukhari was once known as a close confidant of National Conference president Farooq Abdullah. He parted ways with the party after nearly four-decade affiliation in February 2022 due to a disagreement with Farooq Abdullah over ST status for the Pahari community.
He was then fielded by the BJP from Surankote, a Scheduled Tribe reserved constituency in the Jammu region.
Kavinder Gupta, Former Deputy Chief Minister took to social media X and expressed condolences on the death of the politician."I express my condolences on the sudden demise of BJP leader Mushtaq Bukhari ji," his post read.
State BJP President Ravinder Raina also expressed his shock at the untimely demise of the BJP leader. "Shocked & deeply pained to hear about the demise of a Political Stalwart and BJP Candidate from Surankote Assembly Constituency Jenab Sayeed Mushtaq Bukhari Sahib. This is an irreparable loss of whole of the society in Rajouri and Poonch. I express my heartfelt condolences," Raina said in a post on X.
People's Democratic Party (PDP) and former Jammu Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti also expressed condolences on the unfortunate death on platform X.
Mufti wrote "Saddened to know about the death of Syed Mushtaq Bukhari sahab. May Allah Ta'aala grant him jannat & give his family strength to bear this loss."
In his condolence message former CM Omar Abdullah said, "Very sorry to hear about the death of senior BJP leader Mushtaq Bukhari earlier today. His death is a loss to his party & the Pahadi people whose cause he pleaded. May Allah grant him place in Jannat. My condolences to his family."