Congress hails Mufti Sayeed as 'humanist'; Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi condole death

NEW DELHI: Congress president Sonia Gandhi and vice-president Rahul Gandhi today expressed shock and grief at the passing away of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, and hailed him as a "humanist".

Sonia also visited AIIMS, where Sayeed had been undergoing treatment for the past few days, in the morning to pay her condolences.

The Chief Minister died this morning at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) where he was admitted for the past 15 days.

Extending her condolences to his wife and daughter Mehbooba Mufti, other family members and friends, the Congress president said that in his death, the state of Jammu and Kashmir as indeed the entire nation had lost a great leader.

Recalling his long association with the Congress party, Sonia said, "Muftiji's contribution as a humanist and to public life in various capacities will forever be remembered."

Rahul, who is away on a vacation to Europe, condoled the Kashmir leader's death on Twitter.

"Extremely saddened to learn of the passing away of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Saab. My condolences to his family and supporters.

"A veteran politician, he had a long & distinguished political career. His loss will be deeply mourned in J&K and across the country," he tweeted.

At the AICC briefing, party spokesperson Kapil Sibal said that Muftiji had a very deep rooted relationship with Congress as also with late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.