UPA Chairperson and former Congress President Sonia Gandhi has penned down an incredibly emotional letter for the children of three-term former Chief Minister of Delhi, Sheila Dikshit, who passed away on Saturday. She was 81.
Writing to the late chief minister’s son Sandeep Diskhit and daughter Latika Dikshit, the UPA chairperson wrote, “I write to you with my heart filled with grief and a great sense of loss, for your beloved mother occupied a huge space in it.”
Gandhi had visited the late Congress later’s house in Delhi’s Nizamuddin area to pay her last respect. She was seen nearly breaking down as she stood next to Dikshit’s mortal remains before emotionally hugging Latika Dikshit.
Her letter to Dikshit’s children informed how she had visited the veteran Congress leader’s house after her demise to share her husband and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s regard for ‘Sheila ji.’ She wrote, “I came to share my husband’s regard for Sheilaji & to value her very special gifts as I developed my own close relationship with her. We worked closely together during the years she was Chief Minister of Delhi, DPCC chief & Secretary of the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust.”
Gandhi reminded how the popular former Delhi Chief Minister was responsible for transforming India’s national capital, making it a ‘much better place to live in for all its citizens, including the poorest, and that tremendous achievement remains her lasting legacy.’
Not surprised why #SheilaDixitJi’s demise has shaken Sonia Gandhi. Both enjoyed very good camaraderie. Even Rahul Gandhi held her in high esteem. pic.twitter.com/mGgNIp5Aw0
— Rifat Jawaid (@RifatJawaid) July 20, 2019
“She worked with such vision and dedication to transform Delhi,” the UPA chairperson wrote adding that Dikshit ‘brought grace, humanity, wisdom and excellence to everything she did.’
“And with what courage and loyalty she served the Congress Party, till the end! I pray that you find the strength to bear your loss,” the letter concluded.
Dikshit passed away after suffering from a cardiac arrest on Saturday at a Delhi hospital on Saturday. The Delhi government has announced a two-day state mourning in the national capital. Her body will be taken to the Congress headquarters later today.
Sheila Dikshit remained Delhi’s Chief Minister for three consecutive terms between 1998 and 2013, when she lost elections to Aam Aadmi Party’s Arvind Kejriwal.