Sheila Dikshit, the longest-serving chief minister of Delhi, passed away at a private hospital in the national capital following a cardiac arrest on Saturday, a family member confirmed to The Indian Express. She was 81.
The Congress stalwart had not been feeling well and was rushed to Fortis Escorts Heart Institute in the morning. Later, she slipped into coma following which she passed away, the family member said. Her mortal remains will be kept at her Nizamuddin residence till 11.30 am on Sunday for people to pay tributes, and will then be taken to Nigambodh Ghat for cremation at 2.30 pm. The Delhi government has decided to declare a two-day state mourning, said Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. A host of political leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, have condoled the demise of Dikshit. Read in Bangla and MalayalamÂ
Widely credited for transforming the face of Delhi, Dikshit was at the helm of Delhi affairs for 15 years from 1998 to 2013. She also served as the governor of Kerala. A close associate of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi and a minister in his cabinet, Dikshit became an MP for the first time from Kannauj Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh. Among her notable achievements are fastening the flagship Delhi Metro project, overseeing the creation of a network of flyovers, initiating green reforms in the public transport sector, and phasing out the killer blue line buses. In the run-up to the recently-concluded Lok Sabha elections, Dikshit was made Delhi Congress chief and was entrusted with the task of reversing Congress’ fortunes in the capital. However, she lost the North East seat to BJP’s Manoj Tiwari and the party drew a drubbing.
Watch Video: Sonia Gandhi pays tribute to Sheila Dikshit
Kerala Governor P Sathasivam and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan Saturday condoled the demise of former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, who had also served as the state Governor.
In a condolence message, the Governor said: "I am deeply grieved by the sad demise of Smt Sheila Dikshit, who had won people's hearts with her endearing personality and strong administrative capability, during her tenure as Chief Minister of Delhi and as Governor of Kerala.I convey my heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family. May her soul rest in peace."
In his message, Chief Minister Vijayan said he was deeply saddened to hear about the demise of Dikshit. "The veteran leader had served as Delhi Chief Minister for three terms. She was also the Governor of our state", he said, adding Dixit was also a prominent women leader of the Congress party. (PTI)
Veteran BJP leader L K Advani remembered former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit, who died on Saturday at 81 years of age, as an able administrator who made "immense contribution" to the development of Delhi.
Expressing his deep sadness at her demise, he noted in a statement that he was the Union home minister when she became the chief minister and they shared a very warm and cordial working relationship.
"An able administrator, she made immense contribution to the development of Delhi. Apart from many other achievements in her long career in public life, Sheila ji will be remembered as a fine human being," Advani said, offering his heartfelt condolences to her family members. (PTI)
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh laid wreath and paid respects to former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. "Delhi has lost an outstanding leader & administrator who transformed the state beyond recognition," Singh said.
Actress Sharmila Tagore pays respects to Sheila Dikshit at the latter's residence in Nizamuddin. Dikshit, 81, passed away due to cardiac arrest, earlier today.
Former President Pranab Mukherjee pays his last respects to Sheila Dikshit.
Rajnath Singh said Dikshit was counted among the most seasoned politicians of nation. "Her political life was spotless, I pay my tributes to her," Singh said.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh pays tribute to Sheila Dikshit at her Nizamuddin residence.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said although he was from a different political party, whenever he met Dikshit, she showed a lot of love.
Sheila Dikshit's son Sandeep Dikshit said, "Whenever people will talk of a developed, and growing Delhi, Sheila ji's name will be remembered."
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy CM Manish Sisodia met Dikshit's family at her Nizamuddin residence. They were there to pay tributes to three-time Congress chief minister of Delhi.
Delhi BJP President Manoj Tiwari pays tribute to former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit who passed away today, due to a cardiac arrest.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said Sheila Dikshit ji was a motherly figure. "... as a social & a political worker her contribution was immense to Delhi and the country; whole country is sad over her demise," he added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays tribute to Sheila Dikshit at her residence.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla pays tribute to former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, who passed away today, in Delhi due to cardiac arrest.
Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia pays tribute to former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit who passed away today.
UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi pays tribute to former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.
From a reluctant politician, as she herself mentioned in her autobiography “Citizen Delhi: My Times, My Life”, to becoming the longest-serving chief minister of Delhi, Sheila Dikshit will always be remembered for the infrastructural transformation she brought about in the national capital, including the Delhi Metro. The three-time chief minister breathed her last on Saturday afternoon. She was 81. Read more...
BJP leader Vijay Goel pays tribute to Former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit at her residence in Nizamuddin.
Former Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit's last rites mortal remains will be kept for people to pay tributes at her residence in Nizamuddin till 11.30 am Sunday, after which her last rites will be performed at the Nigambodh Ghat, reported ANI.
Mortal remains of Sheila Dikshit reaches her Nizamuddin residence.
Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said Delhi government has decided to declare a two-day state mourning over Sheila Dikshit's demise.
Sheila Dikshit passes away: A look at the life of the longest-serving chief minister of Delhi
Mortal remains of Sheila Dikshit have been brought to her residence in Nizamuddin, reported ANI. The Congress leader and former chief minister passed away in a private hospital in Delhi on Saturday.
People gather outside Sheila Dikshit's residence in New Delhi. One of her supporters also fainted after the sudden demise of the former Delhi chief minister and has been taken care of.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed condolences to Sheila Dikshit's family. She said when she had become an MP, Dikshit was the Parliamentary Affairs minister and always maintained good relations with her.
"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."
"Deeply saddened by the demise of Sheila Dikshit Ji. She loved me, whatever she did for Delhi and the country, people will remember it. She was a big leader of the party, her contribution towards the party, politics of the nation and especially to Delhi, is immense."
"I had met her recently, it is a big shock. I remember how she welcomed me like a mother. Delhi will miss her. May God give her family and her closed ones the strength to bear this loss."
In a statement today, former prime minister Manmohan Singh said, "I am shocked to hear the sudden passing away of Smt Shiela Dixit. In her death the country has lost a dedicated Congress Leader of the masses. People of Delhi will always remember her contribution to the development during her three tenure as Chief Minister of Delhi."
The three-time CM was admitted at Escorts hospital in the morning. Dikshit was not feeling well and was rushed to Escorts hospital in the morning and slipped into coma following which she passed away, according to the family member.