Abdullahs, Mehbooba , Soz others condole Vajpayee’s demise

Mainstream politicians have condoled the demise of the former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, who passed away at AIIMS in New Delhi after a prolonged illness on Thursday.

FAROOQ, OMAR ABDULLAH 

   

National Conference president and Member Parliament for Srinagar, Dr Farooq Abdullah and vice president Omar Abdullah on Thursday expressed deep grief and sorrow over the demise and paid glowing tributes to the departed leader. They extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

Highlighting late Vajpayee’s exemplary contributions in serving the people of the country Dr 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 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.

MEHBOOBA MUFTI 

PDP president and former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir  Mehbooba Mufti in her condolence message, said the people of Jammu & Kashmir, cutting across the political divide, would remember late Vajpayee as the first ever Prime Minister who understood their pain and strived to take measures to mitigate the same. “Late Vajpayee ji undertook some bold and monumental confidence building measures for which the people would remember him for times to come”, she said.

Mehbooba said the people of Jammu & Kashmir hold late Vajpayee in high esteem for his statesmanlike approach towards the state.

Describing the late leader as an astute statesman, the PDP President said the late leader would also be remembered for the peace building measures he took for normalising relations between India and Pakistan and for achieving sustainable peace in the Sub continent. 

Mehbooba Mufti conveyed her heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved family of late Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

PROF SAIFUDDIN SOZ 

Former union minister and senior Congress leader, Prof Saif-ud-din in his condolence message 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.

GHULAM AHMED MIR 

President of Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee in his condolence message said, “Party politics apart, Atalji’s approach to issues was that of a statesman. He always believed in dialogue and engagement. It is sad that those claiming to represent his ideology do nothing to carry forward his peace agenda.”

M Y TARIGAMI 

CPI(M) leader  M Y Tarigami in his condolence message said, “Vajpayee had tried to reach to the people of Kashmir by initiating important initiatives which helped in creating hope. Opening of dialogue with stake holders including Pakistan and other dissenting voices were meaningful steps.”

The ground work for opening of trade and people-to-people contact across LoC were seen as major confidence building measures. “Despite severe limitations of the BJP’s policies, he will be remembered for not following the beaten tracks,” Tarigami asserted.

HAKEEM YASEEN 

Chairman of Peoples Democratic Front  and MLA Khansahib Hakeem Yaseen described Vajpayee as a highly principled noble soul who always stood for peace and justice. 

He said, “Leaving  his political ideology leaving aside, Atal ji was a true human being and a secular leader.”

While praying for eternal peace to the departed soul, Hakeem Yaseen recalled his sincere efforts  as Prime Minister 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.

GHULAM HASSAN MIR 

Democratic Party Nationalist (N) president and former minister, Ghulam Hassan Mir termed the former Prime Minister as true statesman  saying that the efforts made by the deceased to bringing peace and tranquility in the Jammu and Kashmir would always be remembered. 

He said that the former PM will be remembered for his good deeds.

DEVENDER SINGH RANA 

National Conference provincial president Devender Singh Rana  described late Vajpayee as great visionary, a respectable statesman, a leader of wisdom and compassion and an ace orator,  who has inspired generations. “Nation will always remember Atalji as an outstanding parliamentarian, who left Lok Sabha spell bound with his great skill of oratory, wit, humour, statesmanship and admirable political sagacity”, Rana said in his condolence message.

 He said that the country has become poorer with the passing away of a leader, respected across the political spectrum, who dominated Indian political scene for over six decades.

KHALIDA SHAH 

Awami National Conference (ANC) president, Khalida Shah  said that the former PM would always be remembered for his sincere steps towards bringing peace and tranquility in Jammu and Kashmir. “I am personally shocked over the death of the former Prime Minister,” she said.

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