Srinagar: Veteran National Conference leader and former Jammu and Kashmir minister Sheikh Mustafa Kamal died at a private hospital here on Tuesday following a prolonged illness, his family said. He was 83.
Kamal, the younger brother of National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah and uncle of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, was additional general secretary of the party.
He was laid to rest at a graveyard in Sonwar area of the city. Apart from the Abdullahs, ministers, NC’s MPs and MLAs, and a host of other leaders joined the funeral prayers for the departed soul.
Before joining politics, Kamal earned his MBBS degree from the Sawai Mansingh Medical College in Jaipur, Rajasthan, in 1962.
He later built a distinguished legislative career and became a member of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council from 1983 to 1987.
Kamal represented the Gulmarg constituency in Baramulla district as an MLA from 1987 until 2002. Throughout his political career, he held various high-profile cabinet portfolios in the state governments formed in 1983, 1987, and 1996.
Tributes poured in from across the political spectrum as news of his demise spread.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, while announcing the death of Kamal on X, said “Uncle Mustafa had been unwell for some months but took a turn for the worse 4 days ago. He put up a brave fight holding on against the odds. The doctors and staff treating him were amazing but Allah called him for his final journey. May Allah grant uncle Mustafa the highest place in Jannat.”
In a statement, the NC described Kamal’s passing as an “irreparable loss” to both the party and the region, saying that he devoted decades to strengthening the ideals and legacy of the party.
“His unwavering commitment, principled leadership, and steadfast dedication to the people of Jammu & Kashmir earned him immense respect across political and social spheres,” the statement said, adding prayers for the bereaved family, including Farooq and Omar Abdullah.
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) chief and former CM Ghulam Nabi Azad, J-K Congress chief Tariq Karra, Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari, CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami, Peoples Conference senior vice president Abdul Gani Vakil, and Kashmir’s chief preacher Mirwaiz Umer Farooq were among those who expressed grief over the death of the veteran politician.
PTI
Mustafa Kamal, NC leader & Farooq Abdullah’s brother, dies at 83
