Sadly, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed died 4 days before his 80th birthday

New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who crafted an impossible alliance with BJP helping it share power for the first time in the Muslim majority state, died here on Thursday after a brief illness, just four days shy of his 80th birthday.

Sayeed, 79, breathed his last at AIIMS this morning after remaining on ventilator for the past few days.

Born on January 12, 1936, to a family of 'Peers' who earn their livelihood by preaching and teaching religious practices and attending prayer meetings organised by locals to seek penance or as thanksgiving, Sayeed began his political career with the Congress from his south Kashmir's Bijbehara town in Anantnag district.

One of the best dressed politicians in Jammu and Kashmir, his respect and reach was beyond political affiliations.