Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 12: Former minister and veteran Congress leader Mohd Sharief Niaz passed away today at GMC Jammu after brief illness. He was 75.
He was sick for the past about a month and was on oxygen support system for the past few days. He breathed his last today morning, JKPCC chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma said.
Niaz was widely respected politician and was a humble man who commanded great respect in the people and the party workers. He was elected MLA in 1987 and was MOS in NC-Cong Govt. He was three times MLA besides Legislator of Upper House for couple of years. He was Power Minister during PDP -Congress Govt between 2002 to 2005. He vacated his Assembly seat for the then Chief Minister and his cousin, Ghulam Nabi Azad in 2006 and was inducted into Upper House later.
He was again elected to the Assembly in the by-election in 2009, after the seat was vacated by Azad. He was quite active in political and social circles till last month although with some old age ailments.
The entire rank and file of the party has deeply condoled the sad demise of Niaz.
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad, expressed his heartfelt grief on the passing away of Sharief Niaz.
“ He was not only a person of unimpeachable integrity but also a hard working Congress leader. Besides being a family member, he was a trust worthy public representative. He was always a down to earth. Being my cousin, his sudden demise is personal loss to me and has also left a vacuum in the party,” Azad said.
Azad also expressed is sympathy and solidarity with the bereaved family.
Meanwhile, Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha has conveyed his condolences on the sad demise of former minister MS Niaz.
In a message, the Lt Governor has prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and forbearance to the bereaved family in this hour of grief.
Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President and Member of Parliament from Srinagar Dr Farooq Abdullah, and Vice President Omar Abdullah also expressed profound grief over the sad demise of Niaz.
They prayed for peace to the deceased and fortitude to bereaved family to bear the inconsolable loss.
AICC leader and incharge J&K affairs of the pary Rajni Patil, JKPCC president G A Mir and other senior leaders have expressed shock and grief over the sad demise of Niaz and described him a humble politician. His death is a great loss to the party and people of Jammu and Kashmir. They prayed for peace to the departed soul and strength to the family.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel