Political leaders across party lines pour in condolences to Sushma Swaraj
New Delhi: One of India's most admired leader, the former External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj passed away at 67 on Tuesday night.
Leaders across the political line visited Swaraj's home to pay tribute or took the micro-blogging site to express condolences.
Remembering her work as the External Affairs Minister Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: I can’t forget the manner in which Sushma Ji worked tirelessly as EAM in the last 5 years. Even when her health was not good, she would do everything possible to do justice to her work and remain up to date with matters of her Ministry. The spirit and commitment was unparalleled.
Sushma Ji’s demise is a personal loss. She will be remembered fondly for everything that she’s done for India. My thoughts are with her family, supporters and admirers in this very unfortunate hour. Om Shanti.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 6, 2019
BJP President and Union Home Minister Amit Shah described Swaraj as a fierce orator, dedicated party worker, popular representative, and hardworking leader.
सà¥à¤·à¤®à¤¾ सà¥à¤µà¤°à¤¾à¤œ जी का निधन à¤à¤¾à¤œà¤ªà¤¾ à¤"र à¤à¤¾à¤°à¤¤à¥€à¤¯ राजनीति के लिठà¤à¤• अपूरणीय कà¥à¤·à¤¤à¤¿ है।
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 6, 2019
मैं समसà¥à¤¤ à¤à¤¾à¤œà¤ªà¤¾ कारà¥à¤¯à¤•à¤°à¥à¤¤à¤¾à¤"ं की à¤"र से उनके परिजनों, समरà¥à¤¥à¤•à¥‹à¤‚ व शà¥à¤à¤šà¤¿à¤‚तकों के पà¥à¤°à¤¤à¤¿ अपनी à¤-हरी संवेदना वà¥à¤¯à¤•à¥à¤¤ करता हूà¤à¥¤ ईशà¥à¤µà¤° दिवंà¤-त आतà¥à¤®à¤¾ को चिर शानà¥à¤¤à¤¿ पà¥à¤°à¤¦à¤¾à¤¨ करे।
ॠशांति शांति शांति
"The country has lost a much loved leader who epitomised dignity,'' writes President Ramnath Kovind.
Extremely shocked to hear of the passing of Smt Sushma Swaraj. The country has lost a much loved leader who epitomised dignity, courage & integrity in public life. Ever willing to help others, she will always be remembered for her service to the people of India #PresidentKovind
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 6, 2019
Attributing Swaraj as his "elder sister", Union Minister of Road Transport Nitin Gadkari talked about Sushma's role in expansion of BJP.
Union Minister & BJP leader Nitin Gadkari: Passing away of Sushma ji is a personal loss for me, BJP, & the country. Since the inception of the party, she played a key role in its expansion. When I was the President of BJP, she gave me guidance as an elder sister. #SushmaSwaraj pic.twitter.com/UGiXjqs0Oe
— ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2019
"A gifted orator and an exceptional Parliamentarian," says former Congress president Rahul Gandhi.
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.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 6, 2019
My condolences to her family in this hour of grief.
May her soul rest in peace.
Om Shanti ðŸ™
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman expressed her shock over the untimely demise of Swaraj.
Shocked at the untimely demise of Smt. @SushmaSwaraj. Paid my respects and expressed my condolences to her family. Her speeches in the Parliament, full of substance and firepower, motivated several of us. Sharing a photo from the 2014 swearing in ceremony. pic.twitter.com/in8y5k0OwO
— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) August 6, 2019
Her successor S Jaishankar tweeted: Deeply shocked to learn of the passing away of Smt Sushma Swaraj. Difficult to accept this news. The whole nation grieves, the Foreign Ministry even more so.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee recalled "cordial times in parliament" with Swaraj.
WB CM: Deeply saddened, shocked at sudden passing away of #SushmaSwaraj ji. I knew her since 1990s. Even though our ideologies differed, we shared many cordial times in Parliament. An outstanding politician,leader,good human being. Will miss her.Condolences to her family/admirers pic.twitter.com/1sZrVQZ3GE
— ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2019
Calling Sushma a remarkable leader Veteran BJP leader LK Advani wrote a condolence message.
Senior BJP leader LK Advani: The nation has lost a remarkable leader. To me, it is an irreparable loss and I will miss Sushmaji’s presence immensely. May her soul rest in peace. My heartfelt condolences to Swaraj ji, Bansuri & all members of her family. Om Shanti. #SushmaSwaraj pic.twitter.com/4FuLwWAgli
— ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2019
While speaking about Swaraj, BJP MP Rama Devi got emotional.
#WATCH Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Rama Devi gets emotional while speaking about former External Affairs Minister, #SushmaSwaraj, says, "As long as I'm breathing, I will stay connected with her. She has left this world but will live in a better place." pic.twitter.com/PvQ9jYN696
— ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2019
Congress leader Gulab Nabi Azad spoke about the 'brother-sister' bond that he used to share with Swaraj.
G N Azad, Congress: We're shocked, we never imagined that she'll leave us so soon. I knew her since 1977 when I was in youth Congress, we knew each other for last 42 years. We never called each other by name, she used to call me 'bhai' & I used to call her 'behen'. #SushmaSwaraj pic.twitter.com/A9Iua6LE6P
— ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2019
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao praised the worked she rendered for the nation in different capacities. He has also expressed his condolences to the members of the bereaved family.
"Hon'ble CM Sri K Chandrashekar Rao conveyed his condolences over the demise of former Union Minister Smt. Sushma Swaraj Ji. CM praised the services she rendered for the nation in different capacities. CM expressed his condolences to the members of bereaved family," Telangana CMO tweeted.
Taking to Twitter, Andhra Pradesh CM Jagan Mohan Reddy tweeted: "Shocked by the sudden demise of #SushmaSwaraj ji. A national stalwart and a towering personality who was loved across party lines. As an able administrator and an epitome of bravery & kindness, she inspired women of this country. My Condolences to her family."
Former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu said Swaraj's works as the Minister of External Affairs will be looked upon as an exemplary model of governance.
"Shocked to hear about the sudden demise of BJP leader Sushma Swaraj Ji. Her contribution to the nation in various leadership roles will never be forgotten. Her stellar work as MEA will be looked upon as an exemplary model of governance. I pray God to give strength to the family," Naidu tweeted.
TRS working president KT Rama Rao also expressed condolences on Swaraj's demise.
"Heartfelt condolences on the demise of former Union Minister Smt #SushmaSwaraj Ji. Telangana people will forever remember her support to the statehood cause. RIP Chinnamma," he tweeted.
Swaraj was admitted to All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) following a deterioration in her health.
Read: Sushma Swaraj dies at 67 after a heart attack
According to sources at AIIMS, the 67-year-old was feeling restless at 9 pm and reached the hospital at around 9:30 pm in an ambulance. A team of doctors tried to revive her for 70 to 80 minutes but failed in their attempt. Swaraj was declared dead at 10:50 pm.
Swaraj was appointed the foreign minister in the first term of Modi government in 2014. She opted out of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections citing health reasons.
