Sushma Swaraj Passes Away

Former external affairs minister and senior BJP leader, Sushma Swaraj passed away on Tuesday night due to cardiac arrest. She was 67. Swaraj was brought to AIIMS around 9:30 PM and was taken to the emergency ward immediately. She is active even hours before she passes away as she tweeted congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi for scrapping Article 370. "I was waiting to see this day in my lifetime," she tweeted.

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

Swaraj had a kidney transplant in 2016 however that doesn’t create any problem. But, she now died of cardiac arrest. She was not part of the Modi government this time as S Jaishankar replaced her as the External Affairs Minister. Passport infrastructure expansion and increased engagement with the East were a few important measures that were taken during her regime. Swaraj was the second woman to hold the portfolio after Indira Gandhi, to keep the external affairs ministry under her while being the prime minister.

PM Modi has paid condolences and praised for her work to the country in a series of tweets. “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,” Modi tweeted.

He called Sushma a ‘prolific orator and outstanding Parliamentarian’ and said she contributed to the party a lot and she was uncompromised when it comes to ideology and interests of the BJP. “Sushma Ji has high standards in every ministry and she is an excellent administrator,” Modi added. He said Sushma’s demise is a ‘personal loss’.

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

“Deeply saddened, shocked at sudden passing away of Sushma Swaraj Ji. I knew her since the 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,” West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee said.

Deeply saddened, shocked at the sudden passing away of Sushma Swaraj Ji.I knew her since the 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
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) August 6, 2019

“I am shocked to hear about the demise of Sushma Swaraj Ji, an extraordinary political leader, a gifted orator and 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,” 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 🙏
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 6, 2019

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said that the Delhi government will observe two days state mourning as a mark of respect in the memory of Sushama. Twitter is filled with condolences to Sushma Swaraj and the whole BJP is mourning over her death apart from her family. Last rites will be held at 3 PM today.

Delhi govt will observe two days state mourning as a mark of respect in the memory of former Chief Minister & senior leader respected Sushma Swaraj ji
— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) August 7, 2019