Former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj passes away

Former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj passed away in New Delhi last night after suffering a massive cardiac arrest. She was 67. 

AIIMS sources said, the senior BJP leader was brought to the hospital around 9:30 last evening. They said, a team of doctors attended to her but could not revive her. Sushma Swaraj had a kidney transplant in 2016 and had opted out of contesting Lok Sabha polls earlier this year for health reasons.

President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP President and Home Minister Amit Shah and several other leaders have expressed condolence over the demise of Sushma Swaraj.  

In his message, President Kovind said, he is extremely shocked to hear of the passing of Sushma Swaraj. He said, the country has lost a much loved leader who epitomised dignity, courage and integrity in public life. The President said, she will always be remembered for her service to the people of India. 

Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu said, death of Sushma Swaraj is a huge loss to the country and personal loss to him. He said, Swaraj was an excellent administrator, outstanding Parliamentarian and a remarkable orator.  

Expressing grief, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, a glorious chapter in Indian politics has come to an end with the passing away of the veteran politician. In a series of tweets, he said, India grieves the demise of a remarkable leader who devoted her life to public service and bettering lives of the poor. Prime Minister described her death as a personal loss. 

Describing her as an excellent administrator, the Prime Minister



said, Swaraj set high standards in every ministry she handled. He said, he can not forget the manner in which she worked tirelessly as External Affairs Minister in the last 5 years. Prime Minister recalled her compassionate side as a minister who helped fellow indians who were in distress in any part of the world. 

In his message, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, Sushma Swaraj was a seasoned Parliamentarian and widely respected cutting across the party lines. Home Minister Amit Shah said, Sushma Swaraj's death is an irreparable loss to the BJP and Indian Politics. Mr Shah said, she has left an indelible mark in Indian politics in various roles.

Former president Pranab Mukherjee in his message said, as an astute parliamentarian, she will forever be remembered and missed. BJP working president J P Nadda said, Swaraj was an example of an ideal personality, be as an opposition leader or as external affairs minister. Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar expressed his shock and said Swaraj set an example by connecting the common man's need to the External Affairs Ministry.

Condolence also poured in from across the party lines. Leader of opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said, Swaraj was a great human being and will always be remembered. Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi described her as an extraordinary political leader. CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury also expressed grief.

Mortal remains of Swaraj will be kept at her residence till 11 AM and later will be brought to BJP Headquarters for the people to pay their last respects. Her last rites will be performed with full State honours at Lodhi Road Crematorium after 3 PM.