Srinagar: Veteran Congress leader and former minister Madan Lal Sharma passed away at a private hospital in Katra on Wednesday morning. The 68-year-old is survived by wife, a son and two daughters.
He was first elected as MLA in 1983 and again in 1987 from Chhamb consitituency on Congress mandate, a party spokesman said. He became minister in the NC-Congress coalition government in 1988.He was again elected from Akhnoor in 2002 and became a minister in the PDP-Congress government. Sharma was twice elected to the Lok Sabha from Jammu- Poonch seat in 2004 and 2009. However, he lost the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. His death was widely mourned by the leaders of the Congress party, advisors to Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and several mainstream leaders of Jammu & Kashmir
Advisor to the Lieutenant, Farooq Khan while expressing deep shock and grief over the demise of Madan Lal Sharma said that he was is deeply saddened to hear about the passing away of the hard working leader. He said , Madan Lal Sharma always worked dedicatedly for the welfare of the people. The Advisor prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and expressed solidarity with the bereaved family members.
Another Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Baseer Ahmad Khan while expressing deep shock and grief over the demise of senior Congress leader and former Member Parliament from Jammu, Madan Lal Sharma.
said that he was grieved over the passing away of the former Parliamentarian, Madan Lal Sharma who dedicated his entire life in the service of public good. He said the deceased was always at the fore front in the service of humanity and accessible to people at all times. The Advisor prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and courage to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss.
National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah and Vice President Omar Abdullah while expressing deep grief over the passing away of Madan Lal Sharma recalled the contribution of Sharma towards welfare of the people in different capacities. They conveyed their condolences to the bereaved family. They also prayed for strength to the family to bear this irreparable loss.
Chairman Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) Hakeem Yaseen while condoling the demise of Madan Lal Sharma described Late Madan Lal a true sympathiser of poor and downtrodden sections of the society. “Madan Lal was a thorough gentleman and noble soul, connected deeply with gross roots level, ” Hakeem said adding that he was highly respected and admired among the political circles across the country. He was favourite and popular among the electorate of jammu as he tirelessly worked for the uplift of down trodden sections of the society.
Chief spokesperson, JKPCC, Ravinder Sharma said “His death is being widely mourned in political and social circles.The entire rank and file of the party has deeply mourned his death “.
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress committee chief G A Mir expressed sorrow over the death of the veteran leader, saying his death has created a great void in the party.
Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari also expressed grief over the demise of Sharma. “I am grieved over the passing away of Madan Lal Ji–a leader who had dedicated his whole life for the service of public welfare. As a minister also, he was accessible to the people especially to his electorate,” Bukhari observed.
