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Updated: Jun 03, 2020 21:39 IST

Sheila Dikshit, veteran Congress leader and three-time chief minister of Delhi , passed away at a private hospital in the national capital late on Saturday afternoon.

Her sudden death sent shockwaves across the country, and leaders, cutting across party lines, joined in paying tributes to the Congress stalwart.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences while calling Dikshit a “warm and affable personality”.

“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.” PM tweeted.

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Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called Dikshit “a beloved daughter of the Congress party” and said he shared “a personal bond” with her.

“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,” Rahul’s tweet said.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said Sheila Dikshit loved her and her contributions to Delhi and the country will be remembered by people. “Deeply saddened by the demise of Sheila Dikshit Ji. She loved me, whatever she did for Delhi & the country, people will remember it. She was a big leader of party, her contribution towards party, politics of nation & especially to Delhi, is immense,” Priyanka tweeted.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal termed Dikshit’s death a “huge loss for Delhi”

“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,” Kejriwal said in a tweet.



Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia told news agency ANI that the Delhi government has declared a two2-day state mourning over Dikshit’s demise.

Rashtrapati Bhawan’s Twitter account carried President Ram Nath Kovind’s tribute to Dikshit. The tweet said Shiela Dikshit will be remembered for “momentous transformation of the capital”.

Also Read: Sheila Dikshit: A political life in ten points

Former PM Manmohan Singh said he was “shocked to hear the sudden passing away of Smt #ShielaDixit” and that the country had “lost a dedicated Congress leader of the masses.”

Senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley said Dikshit will be remembered for her work.

“Saddened to know about the demise of Sheila Dikshit Ji, senior leader of congress party. Condolences to bereaved family members and supporters. She will be remembered for her works. May God render peace to the departed soul. Om Shanti,” Tweeted Jaitley.

BJP MP and president of party’s Delhi unit, Manoj Tiwari said Sheila Dikshit had welcomed him “like a mother” when he met her recently. News of her death, he said was a “big shock”.

Fortis Escorts Heart Institute said in a statement that Dikshit was brought to the hospital in a critical condition.

“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 3:55pm,” said the statement.

Mint reported that the three-time Delhi chief minister from Congress, Dikshit had cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heart beat) and had to be immediately put on ventilator, two people aware of the matter confirmed.

Dikshit was the longest-serving Chief Minister of Delhi, having served in office for 15 years from 1998.

The 81-year-old was appointed as the president of Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee earlier this year, in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections.