Srinagar, Oct 2(KNS): Mushtaq Ahmad Shah Bukhari, a former minister and BJP candidate from Surankote, died on Wednesday after collapsing at his residence in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district.

He was 75 and is survived by his wife, two daughters, and a son. Bukhari had been unwell for some time and suffered a heart attack at 7 am, according to a BJP leader.

Bukhari, a two-time former MLA from Surankote, joined the BJP in February after the Centre granted Scheduled Tribe status to his Pahari community. He was fielded from Surankote, which went to polls along with 25 other segments on September 25.

Bukhari left the National Conference in February 2022 after a long association, following a disagreement with party president Farooq Abdullah over Scheduled Tribe status.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelJammu and Kashmir BJP president Ravinder Raina and leaders of other political parties expressed condolences for Bukhari’s death. Raina stated that Bukhari's death left a significant void.

"Saddened to know about the death of Syed  Mushtaq Bukhari sahab. May Allah Ta’aala  grant him jannat & give his family strength to bear this loss," Mehbooba Mufti said in a post on 'X'

"Very sorry to hear about the death of senior BJP leader Mushtaq Bukhari earlier today. His death is a loss to his party & the Pahadi people whose cause he pleaded. May Allah grant him place in Jannat. My condolences to his family," the former CM Omar Abdullah said in a post on 'X'(KNS)