Guv, Abdullahs’, Mehbooba, Hakeem, Cong Prez Mir, Soz, Tarigami grieved over demise of Vajpayee

Srinagar: Governor N N Vohra, National Conference President Farooq Abdullah, National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah, PDP President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, PDF Chairman Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen, Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Saif Ud Din Soz, State Congress President Gh Ahmed Mir, Democratic Party (Nationalist) President Gh Hassan Mir and CPI(M) Secretary M Y Tarigami have condoled the death of Attal Bihari Vajpayee the former Minister and tribute him for his contributions as Prime Minister of India
In his condolence message Governor N.N. Vohra has expressed grief over the sad demise of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Paying tribute to the former Prime Minister, with whom he had the privilege of working for some time, Governor described him as an astute and visionary leader whose thinking was deeply infused by humanism. He recalled Vajpayeeji’s continuing endeavor to evolve an amicable resolution of issues relating to Kashmir.In his message Governor has prayed for peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family members.
National Conference President and three time former Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Party’s Vice President Omar Abdullah have expressed deep grief and sorrow over the passing away of former Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
In his condolence message the National Conference President and three time former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. Highlighting Late Vajpayee’s exemplary contributions in serving the people of the country Farooq Abdullah said, “In his demise, country has lost not only an exemplary politician but a visionary too. His golden words on Kashmir would be remembered for all times to come.” Calling Late Vajpayee’s political career nothing less than a template for others to follow and imbibe Dr Farooq said, “He will be remembered not only for his clear political thought but also the way he engineered out of the box initiatives on Kashmir. He still remains as one of the few politicians who has a huge fan following in Kashmir.”
While paying homage to departed leader, the NC Vice President and another former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah termed former PMs death ‘a personal loss’. “Late Vajpayee ji was a gentleman par excellence. His path breaking initiatives to resolve Kashmir conundrum is something that needs no explanation. His statesmanship was legendary and unparalleled in modern times,” Omar said.
The NC Vice President extended deepest condolences to his family and prayed for peace to departed leader. Both Dr Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah had earlier visited the ailing leader at AIIMS, New Delhi.
PDP President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said that Vajpayee’s demise is an end of an era where he always showed courage and conviction in healing Kashmir through his reconciliatory measures presided over a condolence meeting . She was addressing party full fledged condolence meeting called by her at her Gupkar residence in Srinagar. Party’s Chief Spokesperson Rafi Ahmad Mir quoted Mehbooba Mufti as saying that Vajpayee’s demise is an end of an era where he always showed courage and conviction in healing Kashmir through his reconciliatory measures. Mehbooba termed Vajpayee as the crusader of peace who understood Kashmir and initiated a series of CBMs for people of Kashmir, respecting their sentiments. She termed the death of Vajpayee as loss to politics of Sub continent stating that his peace endeavors greatly improved the peace situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Mir said that PDP and its leadership are saddened with Vajpayee’s demise, and he will be always remembered as the man of reconciliation who set strong foundations of a peaceful and vibrant Jammu and Kashmir with his peace initiatives.
In his condolence message the Peoples’s Democratic Front (PDF) Chairman and former Minister Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen said “ setting aside his political ideology, Atalji was a true human being and a secular leader. While praying for eternal peace to the departed soul of Atal, Hakeem recalled his sincere efforts as PM when he unilaterally extended hand of friendship to neighbouring country Pakistan in 2004 to bring peace and tranquility in the sub-continent especially in the strife torn Jammu and Kashmir
In his condolence message senior Congress leader and former union minister Prof Saif-ud-din said “I feel sad on the demise of Vajpayee even my assessment is that many Kashmiris will be feeling sad over his demise as the deceased had put serious efforts to resolve the Kashmir issue.”
“When Vajpayee talked about Kashmiriyat, Insaniyat and resolution of Kashmir issue, he was serious about that and took various steps in this regard but the difficulties were in his party. I believe that Vajpayee had realised that Pakistan is our neighbour and we can’t live like enemies,” he added.
In his condolence message State Congres Preident Gh Ahmad Mir termed the demise of Vajpayee as unfortunate and called it ‘a big loss’ to the entire country. “I am personally shocked over the death of a former Prime Minister”
In his condolence message Democratic Party Nationalist (DPN) president and former minister, Ghulam Hassan Mir said efforts made by Vajpayee to bring peace and tranquility in the Jammu and Kashmir will always be remembered.
In his condolence message CPI (M) Secretary and MLA Kulgam M.Y.Tarigami said “former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had tried to reach to the people of Kashmir by initiating certain important initiatives which helped in creating hope among the people. Opening of dialogue with stake holders including Pakistan and other dissenting voices were meaningful steps which were taken during his tenure. Besides, opening of trade and people to people contact across LOC which were seen as major confidence building measures were initiated during his prime minister-ship. Despite severe limitations of BJP’s policies, he will be remembered for not following the “beaten tracks”