Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed passes away

New Delhi, Jan 7: Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed passed away in New Delhi on Thursday, media reported.

79-year-old Sayeed diagnosed with sepsis, decreased blood counts and pneumonia was admitted to AIIM hospital on December 24 and continued to be in the intensive care unit of the hospital.

Sayeed took over as chief minister of PDP-BJP coalition on March 1 last year.

Sayeed's daughter Mehbooba is seen as the "logical choice" as his successor as chief minister.

The Chief Minister breathed his last around 7.30 am, Education Minister and spokesman for Government Nayeem Akhter said here. Sayeed, 79, is survived by his wife, three daughters including PDP President Mehbooba Mufti, and a son.

The mortal remains of the Chief Minister would be flown to Srinagar where the body will be kept for people to have the last glimpse of their leader. He is likely be buried in his ancestral village in South Kashmir.

Sorry to learn about the sad demise of the J&K Chief Minister Mufti ji ..May His Soul Rest in peace!

— Sambit Patra (@sambitswaraj) January 7, 2016

Just heard the terrible terrible news of Mufti Sahib's passing away. I'm shocked & deeply saddened. May he rest in peace.

— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) January 7, 2016

OneIndia News (With agency inputs)