Former Minister and BJP candidate from Surankote, Syed Mushtaq Ahmad Bukhari, died today after prolong illness at his residence at Surankote in Poonch district.

He was 75 and is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son.

Bukhari was unwell for some time and suffered a heart attack at 7 am, leading to his death, a close relative said.

Bukhari, a two-times MLA and Minister of State for Social Welfare and Vice Chairman of the Board for Paharis Welfare, hailing from Surankote, joined the BJP in February this year after the Centre granted Scheduled Tribe status to his Pahari community.

He was fielded from Surankote, which went to polls along with 25 other Assembly constituencies in the second phase on September 25.

Bukhari had quit the National Conference in February 2022 after four decades long association following an argument with party president Dr Farooq Abdullah over the Scheduled Tribe status.

The Jammu and Kashmir BJP unit president Ravinder Raina and the leaders of other political parties condoled Bukhari’s death.

“Bukhari was a mass leader and his death left a void which is very hard to fill,” Raina said.

Thousands of people from all walks of life today joined his funeral and offered funeral prayer at Eidgah, Surankote. BJP president Ravinder Raina and several other political leaders also joined his funeral.

The market in Surankote town also remained closed during the day today.

A senior District Officer in Poonch said that under present circumstances, if BJP candidate Mushtaq Bukhari wins on October 8, then seat will remain vacant and it will go for repoll within six months.

But if any other candidate wins, then he will be declared winner by the Election authorities and there will be no repoll.

Meanwhie, 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 Syed Mushtaq Ahmed Bukhari, a prominent Pahari 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”.

Bharatiya Janata Party National general secretary and Jammu & Kashmir Incharge, Tarun Chugh, expressed grief over the sudden demise of BJP candidate from Surankote, Syed Mushtaq Ahmed Bukhari.

Expressing his condolences, Chugh said that the demise of Mushtaq Bukhari is not only a loss for the BJP but for the entire Pahari community of Jammu & Kashmir. He was a lively person who dedicated his whole life fighting for the rights of the Pahari people.