Srinagar, Nov 11: DPAP leader Ghulam Nabi Azad could not visit the grave of former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and PDP founder Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in Anantnag on Saturday as the entrance to the mausoleum was locked.
Azad and other leaders of his Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) had to offer the fateha (special prayer for the deceased) from outside the fencing of Sayeed's mausoleum at Bijbehara in Anantnag.
“We had come to offer fateha for Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. He was a tall leader. The door is locked, we don't know who did it, but we condemn it,” DPAP leader and former minister Mohammad Amin Bhat said.
He expressed surprise that while the doors were open when BJP's Jammu and Kashmir president Ravinder Raina visited the mausoleum, it had been locked for Azad.
“The door was open for (BJP leader) Ravinder Raina but not for our popular leader (Azad) who spent 50 years with Mufti sahib like brothers,” Bhat said.
It was not immediately clear who had locked the door of the mausoleum. Azad was in Bijbehara for a workers' meet of his party.
In a major setback to Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP), Sarwar Mufti, cousin of former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday joined Ghulam Nabi Azad led Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) in Bijbehara area of Anantnag.
Sarwar joined the party at a function presided over by DPAP President Ghulam Nabi Azad in Bijbehara town.
Sarwar during his speech raised the issue of daily wagers.
He requested Azad to take up the issue with the concerned authorities so that daily wagers won't face any problem besides that tourists must be allowed to visit through Bijbehara-Langanbal road so that people who started their outlets along the road can earn their livelihood.
During his speech, Azad lashed out at those who closed door of Mufti Muhammad Sayeed's grave.
He welcomed Sarwar into the party fold and said that he has spent much time with Mufti Muhammad Sayeed while praying for his eternal peace.
