Veteran Congress leader and three-time Delhi Chief Minister passed away on Saturday afternoon after suffering a cardiac arrest. She was 81. Though she had been reportedly keeping unwell for a few days, she was active in politics and her demise has come as a shock to many.
President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to condole her death. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was also one of those who expressed sorrow at her death.
Deeply saddened by the demise of Sheila Dikshit Ji. Blessed with a warm and affable personality, she made a noteworthy contribution to Delhi’s development. Condolences to her family and supporters. Om Shanti. pic.twitter.com/jERrvJlQ4X
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 20, 2019
Sad to hear of the passing of Smt Sheila Dikshit, former Chief Minister of Delhi and a senior political figure. Her term in office was a period of momentous transformation for the capital for which she will be remembered. Condolences to her family and associates #PresidentKovind
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) July 20, 2019
The official handle of the Congress party tweeted that as a three-time Chief Minister of the capital of India, she transformed the face of Delhi.
“We regret to hear of the passing of Smt Sheila Dikshit. Lifelong congresswoman and as three time CM of Delhi she transformed the face of Delhi. Our condolences to her family and friends. Hope they find strength in this time of grief,” the Congress said on Twitter.
Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi, whom she was considered particularly close to, took to Twitter to state that he was devastated to hear the news of her passing.
I’m devastated to hear about the passing away of Shiela Dikshit Ji, a beloved daughter of the Congress Party, with whom I shared a close personal bond.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 20, 2019
My condolences to her family & the citizens of Delhi, whom she served selflessly as a 3 term CM, in this time of great grief.
ANI reported that Priyanka Gandhi said, "Deeply saddened by the demise of Sheila Dikshit Ji. She loved me, whatever she did for Delhi&the country, people will remember it. She was a big leader of party,her contribution towards party, politics of nation & especially to Delhi, is immense (sic)."
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh stated that he was shocked to learn of her death and that the country has lost a dedicated Congress leader of the masses.
"I'm shocked to hear the sudden passing away of Smt Sheila Dikshit. In her death the country has lost a dedicated Congress leader of the masses. People of Delhi will always remember her contribution to Delhi's development during her tenure as CM for 3 terms," ANI quoted Manmohan Singh as saying.
Politicians across party lines - leaders who worked with her as well leaders who contested against her over several elections - have condoled her death.
Just now got to know about the extremely terrible news about the passing away of Mrs Sheila Dikshit ji. It is a huge loss for Delhi and her contribution will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to her family members. May her soul rest in peace
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 20, 2019
Deeply saddened at the passing of Sheila Dikshit Ji. When I became MP, she was the Parliamentary Affairs Minister. She always maintained good relations with me. We will all really miss her
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) July 20, 2019
दिल्ली की पूर्व मुख्यमंत्री श्रीमती शीला दीक्षित जी के निधन से अत्यंत दुखी हूँ। मैं उनके परिजनों और समर्थकों के प्रति अपनी संवेदना व्यक्त करता हूँ। ईश्वर दु:ख की इस घड़ी में उनके परिवार को शक्ति दे और दिवंगत आत्मा को चिर शांति प्रदान करे ।
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) July 20, 2019
ॐ शांति शांति शांति
The passing away of former Chief Minister of Delhi, Smt. Sheila Dixit is deeply saddening. She was a tall Congress leader known for her congenial nature.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 20, 2019
Sheilaji was widely respected cutting across party lines. My thoughts are with her bereaved family & supporters. Om Shanti!
Journalists and celebrities also expressed sorrow at her passing.
Very sad to hear about the death of @SheilaDikshit. She was a wonderful person, always told reporters to eat first, and then work. We will miss you ma’am . RIP
— Nidhi Razdan (@Nidhi) July 20, 2019
Undoubtedly a much beloved chief minister for Delhi. Dignified till the very end and that rare politician who was genuinely liked. Granny type affability even when you disagreed with her, quite apart from her competency as CM https://t.co/HSNJDHdlPw
— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) July 20, 2019
She also managed to get a lot done, inspite of the fact the CM of Delhi is impaired in ways other CMs are not. It is a testament to her political mind. https://t.co/jOZPWHumGm
— Nistula Hebbar (@nistula) July 20, 2019
Extremely sad to know about the passing away of #SheilaDixit ji...she effectively changed the face of Delhi during her tenure. Heartfelt condolences to her family
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) July 20, 2019
Sheila Dixit was a politician of another time, a politician with decency, gentility & a sharp political instinct wreathed in smiles. Will miss her & her warm hugs whenever we met . Rest in Peace, Sheilaji pic.twitter.com/ZP1e4tUucK
— sonia singh (@soniandtv) July 20, 2019
Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee has also condoled Sheila Dikshit's death. She had served as the Governor of Kerala for three months in 2014.
“Sheila Dikshit received wide acceptance from the people. The demise of the leader who had firm beliefs and the courage to voice her opinion without any fear is a loss for the Congress party,” said Mullappally Ramachandran, president of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC). Mullappally also added that he shared a close friendship with the late leader.
He also noted that her long tenure as Delhi’s Chief Minister allowed her to lay the foundation of Delhi’s sustainable development model and added that Dikshit had been a strong female presence in Indian politics.
Sheila Dikshit was on Saturday morning rushed to Fortis Escorts Heart Institute on Saturday in a critical state and she passed away at around 4 pm after suffering a cardiac arrest.
Fortis Escorts Heart Institute released a statement after her demise: "Mrs. Sheila Dixit was brought in the morning on 20th July 2019 to Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, Okhla, New Delhi, in a critical condition with cardiac arrest. A multi-disciplinary team of doctors, led by Dr Ashok Seth, Chairman, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, carried out the advanced resuscitative measures. Her condition stabilised temporarily. However, she had another cardiac arrest and despite all the resuscitative efforts, passed away at 3:55pm on 20th of July 2019."