JAMMU : Former Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma today passed away here after a prolonged illness.
He was 85 and is survived by six sons. Sharma was not well for the past some time and he breathed his last this early morning at his residence.
Sharma remained MLC in 1967 and later five times Member of Legislative Assembly.
The former Lok Sabha MP, was also chosen as the Speaker of Legislative Assembly.
Sharma was Deputy Chief Minister in Mufti Mohammad Sayeed led government and later served as Health Minister in 2008 in the dispensation headed by Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad.
Mr Azad reached Jammu to meet the family members of Sharma. JKPCC spokesperson and former MLC Ravinder Sharma condoled the demise and said that his death has created a void in the party which can never be filled.
The leader had also held important positions in the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee.
He will be cremated tomorrow at Shastri Nagar. (AGENCIES)