Srinagar: Prominent Pahari leader and BJP candidate from Surankote assembly constituency, Mushtaq Ahmad Shah Bukhari, a former minister, died on Wednesday after collapsing at his residence in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district.
He was 75 and is survived by his wife, two daughters, and a son. Bukhari had been unwell for some time and suffered a heart attack at 7 am, family sources said.
Bukhari, a two-time former MLA from Surankote, joined the BJP in February after the Centre granted Scheduled Tribe status to his Pahari community. He was fielded from Surankote, which went to polls along with 25 other segments on September 25.
Bukhari left the National Conference in February 2022 after a long association, following a disagreement with party president Farooq Abdullah over Scheduled Tribe status, sources close to him said.
A huge number of people attended his Nimaj-e-Jinaza following which he was laid to rest at his ancestral graveyard.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has expressed his grief over the demise of prominent Pahari leader Syed Mushtaq Ahmed Bukhari.
In a condolence message, the Lt Governor said, “Deeply pained to learn of the demise of Shri Syed Mushtaq Ahmed Bukhari, a prominent Pahadi leader.
He will be remembered for his commitment to the welfare of people and upliftment of weaker sections of society. My condolences to his family”.
President, Jammu and Kashmir BJP unit, Ravinder Raina and leaders of other political parties also expressed grief over Bukhari’s demise. Raina stated that Bukhari’s death left a significant void. He posted on X: “Shocked and deeply saddened to hear the news of the demise of political veteran and BJP candidate from Surankote assembly constituency Syed Mushtaq Bukhari sahab. It is an irreparable loss for the entire society of Rajouri and Poonch. I offer my heartfelt condolences.”
“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,” Mehbooba Mufti said in a post on ‘X’
“Very sorry to hear about the death of senior BJP leader Mushtaq Bukhari earlier today. His death is a loss to his party & the Pahari people whose cause he pleaded. May Allah grant him place in Jannat. My condolences to his family,” the former CM Omar Abdullah said in a post on X.
Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari also expressed grief and sorrow over the death of Syed Mushtaq Bukhari, saying: “The passing of Syed Mushtaq Bukhari Sahib has created a void in the political landscape of J&K, especially in the Pir Panjal region. His immense contributions to society, particularly for the upliftment and welfare of the Pahari community, will always be remembered.
Throughout his long political career, he served twice as a legislator from Surankote, tirelessly working for the betterment of the people he represented.”
