Aditi Tandon

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 20

Congress veteran and former three-term chief minister of Delhi Sheila Dikshit passed away this evening at Escorts Heart Institute here.

Family sources said Dikshit was suffering from a major heart ailment and had a valvular complication. She was 81.

The hospital said in a statement: “Congress leader Sheila Dixit was brought in the morning today (July 20) to Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, Okhla, New Delhi, in a critical condition with cardiac arrest”.

“A multi-disciplinary team of doctors, led by Dr Ashok Seth, Chairman, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, carried out the advanced resuscitative measures. Her condition stabilised temporarily. However, she had another cardiac arrest and despite all the resuscitative efforts, passed away at 3:55 pm on 20th of July 2019,” the statement said.

She was the longest serving Delhi chief minister, from 1998 to 2013. Her tenure was dotted with major development projects in Delhi, but was also dogged by the infamous Commonwealth Games Scam.

Dikshit was Delhi Congress chief when she died, and one of the most vociferous voices against any Lok Sabha alliance with the ruling AAP in Delhi.

Known for her proximity to UPA chief Sonia Gandhi, she was also projected by the Congress as the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister ahead of 2017 state polls only to be withdrawn later.

Dikshit’s father-in-law Umashankar Dikshit was a tall Brahmin leader in Uttar Pradesh and a confidante of the late prime minister Indira Gandhi.

Delhi Government announced two-day state mourning after her death. Her body has been kept at her Nizamuddin East residence. Delhi Congress said her last rites would be held on Sunday at the Nigambodh ghat.

President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu Saturday expressed sorrow at Dikshit's demise saying her term in office was a period of momentous transformation for the national capital.

"Sad to hear of the passing of Smt Sheila Dikshit, former chief minister of Delhi and a senior political figure. Her term in office was a period of momentous transformation for the capital for which she will be remembered," President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted.

"I express my profound sorrow and grief over the demise of former Chief Minister of Delhi, Smt. Sheila Dikshit today. She was a good administrator," the vice-president's secretariat tweeted.

The Delhi government declared a two-day mourning in the national capital as a mark of respect for the former chief minister.

"Delhi govt has decided to observe a two-day state mourning as a mark of respect in the memory of former Chief Minister and veteran leader Mrs Sheila Dikshit ji. She will be accorded a state funeral," Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia tweeted.

The first Congress leader to condole Dikshit’s death was former prime minister Manmohan Singh who said: “I am shocked to hear the sudden passing away of Shiela Dixit. In her death the country has lost a dedicated Congress Leader of the masses. People of Delhi will always remember her contribution to the development during her tenure as Chief Minister of Delhi.”

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh also expressed his condolences. He said in his tweet: “Extremely pained at the sudden death of Sheila Dikshit ji. A political era has passed away with her. Had known her for 40 years. She was like an elder sister to me, guiding and supporting me in my difficult moments. I will miss you Sheila ji. RIP”.

Outgoing Congress president Rahul Gandhi said in his tweet: "I’m devastated to hear about the passing away of Shiela 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".

Condolences also poured in from outside the party. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a tweet: "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".

Among the first to offer his condolences was Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Dikshit's successor to the chief minister's position.

"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," he tweeted.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah praised her work as chief minister.

"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," he said in a tweet.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said in her tweet: "Deeply saddened at the passing of Sheila Dikshit Ji. When I became MP, she was the Parliamentary Affairs Minister. She always maintained good relations with me. We will all really miss her".

Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti said in her tweet: "Shocked to hear about the sudden demise of Smt Sheila Dixit. She was one of the tallest leaders in Congress & transformed Delhi in her tenure as CM. My deepest condolences to her family & loved ones".

Congress leader Ahmed Patel said in his tweet: "Distressed to learn about the passing away of Sheila ji. She was a born fighter who immersed her self in public service, till her last breath".

Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said:"Deepest condolences on the death of Mrs. Sheila Dikshit. She has made a tremendous contribution to the city of Delhi and millions of its people. Her absence will be deeply felt. Personally too, it is a very sad day".

Harsimrat Kaur Badal said: "Shocked at the demise of former Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit. My heart goes out to the bereaved family. May the Almighty grant peace to the departed soul and strength to the family to bear this loss".

With agencies

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

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 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

We regret to hear of the passing of Smt Sheila Dikshit. Lifelong congresswoman and as three time CM of Delhi she transformed the face of Delhi. Our condolences to her family and friends. Hope they find strength in this time of grief. pic.twitter.com/oNHy23BpAL — Congress (@INCIndia) 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