Former Foreign Minister and veteran BJP leader Sushma Swaraj has passed after suffering from a massive cardiac arrest. She was just 67.
Swaraj was a seven-time MP and had held the external affairs ministry in the first term of Narendra Modi as the country’s prime minister. She had declined to contest the 2019 elections owing to poor health.
Her mortal remains were taken from the AIIMS to her official residence in Delhi.
On Tuesday, hours before her tragic death, Swaraj had tweeted congratulating PM Modi on the passing of Bill abrogating Article 370 and bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories. Her tweet had read, “@narendramodi
ji – Thank you Prime Minister. Thank you very much. I was waiting to see this day in my lifetime.”
प्रधान मंत्री जी – आपका हार्दिक अभिनन्दन. मैं अपने जीवन में इस दिन को देखने की प्रतीक्षा कर रही थी. @narendramodi ji – Thank you Prime Minister. Thank you very much. I was waiting to see this day in my lifetime.
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) August 6, 2019
Senior BJP and Congress leaders have started visiting All India Institute of Medical Sciences to pay their last respect to Swaraj.
Swaraj had become incredibly popular for transforming the external affairs ministry while responding to Indians in distress using her Twitter account.
Prime Minister Modi tweeted, “A glorious chapter in Indian politics comes to an end. India grieves the demise of a remarkable leader who devoted her life to public service and bettering lives of the poor. Sushma Swaraj Ji was one of her kind, who was a source of inspiration for crores of people.”
His subsequent tweet read, “Sushma Ji was a prolific orator and outstanding Parliamentarian. She was admired and revered across party lines. She was uncompromising when it came to matters of ideology and interests of the BJP, whose growth she immensely contributed to.”
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted, “I’m shocked to hear about the demise of Sushma Swaraj Ji, an extraordinary political leader, a gifted orator & an exceptional Parliamentarian, with friendships across party lines. My condolences to her family in this hour of grief. May her soul rest in peace. Om Shanti”
Industrialist and former Congress MP tweeted, “Heartbreaking to hear of the sudden demise of #SushmaSwaraj ji. She was a great leader, excellent parliamentarian, and a kind-hearted person. My deepest condolences to her family & loved ones. Prayers for her soul. Om Shanti ? #RIPSushmaJi”
Heartbreaking to hear of the sudden demise of #SushmaSwaraj ji. She was a great leader, excellent parliamentarian, and a kind-hearted person. My deepest condolences to her family & loved ones. Prayers for her soul. Om Shanti ? #RIPSushmaJi pic.twitter.com/aWh5I5HpaN
— Naveen Jindal (@MPNaveenJindal) August 6, 2019
Here are some of the early reactions:
श्रीमती सुषमा स्वराज जी के दुखद निधन से मुझे गहरा आघात लगा है। उन्होंने हमेशा मुझे बड़ी बहन का स्नेह दिया और संगठनात्मक सलाह देकर राजनीतिक अभिभावक का फ़र्ज़ निभाया। भारतीय राजनीति में मज़बूत विपक्षी और पूर्व विदेश मंत्री के तौर पर उनकी भूमिका को सदैव स्मरण किया जाएगा।
— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) August 6, 2019
I’m beyond aggrieved at the passing away of Smt. #SushmaSwaraj A veteran politician and a pillar of the BJP, she was loved by everyone. She will be remembered as the most endearing & helpful politicians of recent times. My condolences to her family and friends. A huge loss for ?? pic.twitter.com/JdI0vPxRJP
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) August 6, 2019
Shocked & terribly saddened at #SushmaSwaraj Ji’s passing. She had not been keeping well, but this is all too sudden.
She was an icon, a role model for millions & a senior to whom I looked up.
Her last tweet a few hours ago had cherished seeing history made today.
Om Shanti???— Baijayant Jay Panda (@PandaJay) August 6, 2019
Deeply saddened to hear the demise of #SushmaSwaraj ji. Country has lost a humble human being, an exemplary orator and a great leader. May god give strength to her family and near ones. RIP pic.twitter.com/HY1e0msZwg
— Kuldeep Bishnoi (@bishnoikuldeep) August 6, 2019
More to follow