Former Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma died in Jammu today
Former Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma died in Jammu today after a prolonged illness. Mr Sharma, 85, is survived by six sons.
"(Mangat Ram) Sharma was not well for the past some time and breathed his last this morning at his residence", Congress Chief Spokesperson Ravinder Sharma said. He will be cremated tomorrow at Shastri Nagar, the spokesperson said.
The six-time legislator also served as the speaker of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.
He served as Deputy Chief Minister in the Mufti Mohammad Sayeed led PDP-Congress coalition government and later served as Health Minister in 2006, when Ghulam Nabi Azad took over as Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.
He also held important positions in the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee.
Mr Azad, who is in Jammu to meet border dwellers, visited his residence and expressed condolence with the family members of Mr Sharma.
The Congress spokesperson said Mr Sharma's death has created a void in the party which can never be filled.
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Youth Congress Committee deeply condoled the demise of the former Deputy Chief Minister.
In a condolence message, Pranav Shagotra, President JKPYC, expressed grief over the demise of Mangat Ram Sharma and described him as a great leader who was liked by one and all because of his humility and qualities of leadership.
A condolence meeting was held by Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Youth Congress at the Congress headquarters.
While paying tributes to the veteran leader at the meeting, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Youth Congress leaders remembered his contributions in different capacities to the party and the people during his public life.
Satish Sharma, General secretary of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Youth Congress, remembered the hard work done by Mangat Ram Sharma.
Mangat Ram had great concern for the poor and downtrodden people irrespective of caste, creed, colour, religion or region, he said.
A two-minute silence was observed at the meeting as a mark of respect for the departed soul.