Mushtaq Ahmad Shah Bukhari, a former minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Surankote, passed away on Wednesday after collapsing at his residence in Poonch district, Jammu and Kashmir. He was 75 years old and is survived by his wife, two daughters, and a son.
According to BJP leaders, Bukhari had been unwell for some time and suffered a heart attack around 7 AM, which ultimately led to his death. A respected figure in his constituency, Bukhari was a two-time former Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Surankote.
In February of this year, he joined the BJP after the Central Government granted Scheduled Tribe status to his Pahari community. Bukhari was fielded as a candidate for the Surankote constituency, which participated in the assembly elections during the second phase on September 25.
Prior to joining the BJP, Bukhari had a long-standing association with the National Conference, spanning over four decades. He resigned from the party in February 2022 following a disagreement with party president Farooq Abdullah regarding the Scheduled Tribe status for the Pahari community.
Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Ravinder Raina, along with leaders from various political parties, expressed their condolences over Bukhari’s passing. Raina noted, “Bukhari was a mass leader, and his death leaves a void that is very hard to fill.”
The news of Bukhari’s death has shocked his supporters and the local community, as many remember him for his dedication to public service and his contributions to the region’s political landscape.
