Srinagar, July: (KNS)The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President and Member of Parliament from Srinagar Dr. Farooq Abdullah on Thursday expressed profound grief and sorrow over the demise of veteran congress leader and former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Shri Virbhadra Singh.

In his condolence message Dr. Farooq said, “I received the news of Virbadhra Ji’s passing away with tremendous grief. A personal friend, political colleague and a popular mass leader, he dominated the political space in Himachal for almost Six decades. His passing away has left a political void in the state. With his demise, an era has ended in Himachal politics. His remarkable contribution towards building a modern Himachal after it was carved out from Punjab will not be forgotten,” he said.

Recalling his contribution towards the development of Himchal Pradesh, Dr Farooq said, “Virbhadra Ji laid the foundation of a developed Himachal, particularly with the development of industrial areas. The Congress stalwart also remained  union minister for a long period of time during which he got his administrative skills and political acumen acknowledged by one and all. No other leader in Himachal enjoyed the mass appeal and clout that he did. On his demise, I pay my earnest tributes to him, pray for peace to his departed soul and much needed strength to his family in their hour of bereavement,” he said.(KNS)