New Delhi: Senior Congress leader and former New Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit passed away aged 81 years.
On Saturday morning, she was admitted in Escorts hospital in critical condition following a cardiac arrest. A team of multidisciplinary doctors then operated on her, following which her condition was stable. However, another cardiac arrest struck and at 3:55pm despite all resuscitative efforts she passed away.
Her cremation is scheduled Sunday 2pm in Delhi’s Nigam Bodh Ghat.
Dikshit was one of the longest serving Chief Minister of the capital serving 15 years in power from 1998 to 2013 after losing power to Aam Aadmi Party’s Arvind Kejriwal. However in 2019 Lok Sabha elections Congress party, under her leadership, managed to push ruling AAP to third place on 5 of the 7 national capital seats in terms of voteshare but still lagging behind PM Modi’s Bhartiya Janata Party.
She was also known to be a close aide of Rajiv Gandhi serving as a cabinet minister during the time.
Delhi deputy CM Manish Sisodia has declared a 2-day state mourning for the former CM.
ANI quotes Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia: Delhi government has decided to declare 2-day state mourning over the demise of former Delhi Chief Minister #SheilaDikshit.
LIVE updates: https://t.co/qL7QIijIRF pic.twitter.com/x3Iw5FZTaz
— The Times Of India (@timesofindia) July 20, 2019
PM Modi was one of the first leader to condole her death on Twitter followed by other leaders.
Deeply saddened by the demise of Sheila Dikshit Ji. Blessed with a warm and affable personality, she made a noteworthy contribution to Delhi’s development. Condolences to her family and supporters. Om Shanti. pic.twitter.com/jERrvJlQ4X
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 20, 2019
Just heard about the tragic demise of @SheilaDikshit ji. What terrible terrible news. I’ve always known her as a very warm & affectionate lady. She did wonders for Delhi as CM & will be greatly missed by all who knew her. May her soul rest in peace.
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) July 20, 2019
Swaraj, former Minister of External Affairs, called her opponent in politics but a “friends in personal life.”
I am sorry to know about the sudden demise of Sheila Dixit ji. We were opponents in politics but friends in personal life. She was a fine human being. #SheilaDixit
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 20, 2019
Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi calling her death a beloved daughter of Congress party.
I’m devastated to hear about the passing away of Sheila Dikshit Ji, a beloved daughter of the Congress Party, with whom I shared a close personal bond.
My condolences to her family & the citizens of Delhi, whom she served selflessly as a 3 term CM, in this time of great grief.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 20, 2019
Bollywood star Akshay Kumar among other actors too condoled her death.
Extremely sad to know about the passing away of #SheilaDixit ji…she effectively changed the face of Delhi during her tenure. Heartfelt condolences to her family 🙏🏻
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) July 20, 2019
https://twitter.com/RichaChadha/status/1152550650724548608?s=19
Delhi CM Kejriwal called her demise ”a great loss for city.”
Just now got to know about the extremely terrible news about the passing away of Mrs Sheila Dikshit ji. It is a huge loss for Delhi and her contribution will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to her family members. May her soul rest in peace
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 20, 2019
President Ram Nath Kovind too paid condolences for her demise.
दिल्ली की पूर्व मुख्यमंत्री और एक वरिष्ठ राजनेता श्रीमती शीला दीक्षित के निधन के बारे में जानकर दुख हुआ। उनका कार्यकाल राजधानी दिल्ली के लिए महत्वपूर्ण परिवर्तन का दौर था जिसके लिए उन्हें याद किया जाएगा। उनके परिवार व सहयोगियों के प्रति मेरी शोक-संवेदनाएं — राष्ट्रपति कोविन्द
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) July 20, 2019
Along with leaders, many Twitter users condoled death of one of most notable politicians of capital.
Really sad to hear about the death of #SheilaDixit ji. One of the few mass leader Cong had. Often hear about her tremendous work from our older ppl (BJP supporters) in Delhi's development. Her political career bcm the victim of Congress' Corruption. RIP.
— Paresh Rawal fan (@Babu_Bhaiyaa) July 20, 2019
She was that rarest of politicians- a superlatively graceful one. Very sorry to hear of the passing of #SHEILA Dikshit.
— Suparna Singh (@Suparna_Singh) July 20, 2019
https://twitter.com/scribe_prashant/status/1152532040786386944?s=19
Delhi Metro is probably the only world class Urban infra we have in India and has a network of 343 kms now.
It's largely thanks to @SheilaDikshit. Millions of people have benefitted because of her determination to drive the project. Wish we had a leader like that for Bengaluru. pic.twitter.com/dYF94G2ij8
— Srivatsa (@srivatsayb) July 20, 2019
