BJP stalwart and former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj passed away late on Tuesday at the age of 67. Swaraj was rushed to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi in a critical condition at 9.50 pm and was taken to the emergency ward after she suffered a cardiac arrest at her home. With news of Sushma's passing away trickling in, Central ministers, opposition leaders and many others rushed to the AIIMS hospital.
Central ministers, political leaders across party lines, journalists, actors and celebrites took to Twitter to condole her death. PM Narendra Modi tweeted calling Sushma Swaraj 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," the PM said.
In a series of tweets, the Prime Minister added: "An excellent administrator, Sushma Ji set high standards in every Ministry she handled. She played a key role in bettering India’s ties with various nations. As a Minister we also saw her compassionate side, helping fellow Indians who were in distress in any part of the world. 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."
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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 6, 2019
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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 6, 2019
President of India Ram Nath Kovind stated that in Sushma Swaraj's demise, India has lost a much loved leader who epitomised dignity, courage and integrity in public life.
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
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted his condolences and called her demise is a monumental loss.
Deeply shocked and anguished by the sudden demise of an extremely valued colleague Smt. Sushma Swaraj.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) August 6, 2019
She was a seasoned Parliamentarian and widely respected cutting across the party lines. Her demise is a monumental loss for us.
Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi condoled her death and called her an extraordinary political leader and an exceptional Parliamentarian, with friendships across party lines.
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
Several political leaders, authors, journalists as well as members of the film industry paid tribute and expressed their grief at her passing.
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.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) August 6, 2019
Hearing extremely sad news,hoping it to be not true!Sushma ji our dear friend,leader,great person,had met her recently, couldn’t imagine will be tweeting this now.Very very distressing to hear this
— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 6, 2019
We are saddened to hear about the untimely demise of Smt Sushma Swaraj. Our condolences to her family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/T9wg739c8i
— Congress (@INCIndia) August 6, 2019
Lost a dear friend just now in @SushmaSwaraj. Unbelievable.
— Kiran Bedi (@thekiranbedi) August 6, 2019
Truly tragic for the whole nation.
सुषमा स्वराज जी का निधन भाजपा और भारतीय राजनीति के लिए एक अपूरणीय क्षति है।
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 6, 2019
मैं समस्त भाजपा कार्यकर्ताओं की ओर से उनके परिजनों, समर्थकों व शुभचिंतकों के प्रति अपनी गहरी संवेदना व्यक्त करता हूँ। ईश्वर दिवंगत आत्मा को चिर शान्ति प्रदान करे।
ॐ शांति शांति शांति
Union Minister Smriti Irani left an emotional message for 'didi'.
I have an axe to grind with you Didi . You made Bansuri pick a restaurant to take me for a celebratory lunch. You left without fulfilling your promise to the two of us.
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) August 6, 2019
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed deep sorrow over her death. "Her work and her interventions in parliamentary as well as in diplomatic fields had been commendable," he said in a condolence message.
DMK President MK Stalin, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor, JD(S) Chief HD Deve Gowda also expressed their grief over the news of Sushma Swaraj's passing.
முன்னாள் வெளியுறவுத்துறை அமைச்சரும்,பாரதிய ஜனதா கட்சியின் முன்னணி தலைவருமான திருமதி.சுஷ்மா ஸ்வராஜ் அவர்கள் மரணமடைந்த செய்தி மிகுந்த வேதனையளிக்கிறது.
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) August 6, 2019
ஒரு பெண்ணாக, பொதுவாழ்வில் பல உயரங்களை எட்டி, தனக்கு கிடைத்த பொறுப்புகளில் சிறப்பாக செயலாற்றி பெருமை சேர்த்தவர் #SushmaSwaraj
Shocked & saddened by this news. I last saw Sushmaji at @PMOIndia's swearing-in two months ago. She was a brilliant speaker in Hindi, a genuine "people's person" in Government &I was proud of our excellent relationship when I chaired the External Affairs Committee. Om Shanti... https://t.co/1Q2kpUSj3x
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) August 6, 2019
I'm shocked to learn about the sudden demise of Former Chief Minister of Delhi, Former Union Minister @SushmaSwaraj ji. May her soul rest in peace. My condolences to her family and loved ones.#SushmaSwaraj
— H D Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) August 6, 2019
I am deeply saddened by the sad demise of Former Union Minister, ex-CM of Delhi @SushmaSwaraj ji. A loss to our Nation.
— H D Devegowda (@H_D_Devegowda) August 6, 2019
May God give her family the courage to bear this pain.#SushmaSwaraj
Sushma Swaraj had contested from Bellari in Karnataka in 1999 against Congress leader Sonia Gandhi. It was then that she became close to the Reddy brothers and their confidante B Sriramulu who is currently a BJP MLA. Sriramulu also tweeted his condolences.
So sad to hear this news today. We lost one of the greatest leaders of India. A towering warm personality. Huge loss to BJP and Nation. I am in a deep sorrow! #RestInPeace #sushmaswaraj pic.twitter.com/a8noiH9KZT
— B Sriramulu (@sriramulubjp) August 6, 2019