Senior BJP leader and former foreign minister Smt Sushma Swaraj passed away at AIIMS on August 6. The BJP senior leader, who suffered a massive heart attack, died at the age of 67. She was external affairs minister from 2014 to 2019, leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha from 2009 to 2014, minister for information and broadcasting in Vajpayee government from 2000-2003. She was also chief minister of Delhi in 1998.
The country weeps today as the senior foreign minister and iron lady of India is no more.. May her soul rest in Peace #RIP: Youth Darpan, Trilok Singh.
Read Also, Sushma Swaraj: A people”s politician (Obituary)
Read Also, Sushma Swaraj – A powerful orator, people’s minister and politician of many firsts
As per her last Twitter post was about thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the government’s move on Kashmir stating that she was waiting for this day in her lifetime. In the tweet, Sushma Swaraj mentioned that, “Prime Minister, you gave me an opportunity to serve our countrymen and overseas Indians as the Foreign Minister for five years and personally, also, gave me respect throughout my tenure. I am very grateful to you. I pray that our government becomes very successful.”
Meanwhile, “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,” President Ram Nath Kovind expressed.
Shocked beyond words and distressed at the passing away of Sushma Swaraj. An astute parliamentarian, an effective orator & an excellent humane leader, she will forever be remembered and missed. Hers was a story of hard work to heights! My deepest condolences and prayers, Former President Pranab Mukherjee added.
Moreover, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu expressed his grief to Former Foreign Minister, “Deeply shocked by the sudden demise of Sushma Swaraj. Her death is a huge loss to the country & personal loss to me. She was an excellent administrator, outstanding Parliamentarian & a remarkable orator. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved family members”.
“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,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned in a series of tweets.
“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,” Prime Minister added.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi stated on twitter that, “We are saddened to hear about the untimely demise of Smt Sushma Swaraj. Our condolences to her family and loved ones,” the party said. “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”
While Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated he was deeply shocked and anguished by the sudden demise of an extremely valued colleague. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said, “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.” Also, Union Home minister expressed his grief and said that, Saddened by the demise of Sushma Swaraj, big loss for country Indian Politics.
Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad broke down in tears while talking about Sushma Swaraj. He mentioned, “When I came back from Parliament today, I saw her tweet (Swaraj tweeted on Article 370 revoked-“I was waiting to see this day in my lifetime”), & then the news came that she is no more. I’ve no words.” While Nitin Gadkari said that, Passing away of Sushma Swaraj is a personal loss for me, BJP, and 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.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant condoled the death of former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. The senior BJP leader was brought to AIIMS between 9:30 pm and 10:00 pm on Tuesday and was straight away taken to the emergency ward. She died a little while later. She was 67. “She was closely associated with Goa. She was a very strong leader who worked for the party. It is a major loss for the BJP and the nation,”.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Governor Phagu Chauhan on Tuesday also condoled the demise of former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj. Kumar, who was Swaraj’s cabinet colleague in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, described her as “a great orator, an energetic and efficient leader who had many talents”. “The nation is in grief over her demise and will always remember her efforts in the interests of the country and its people,” the chief minister mentioned.
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, mentioned External Affairs Minister of India, Dr. S. Jaishankar.
Globally, Ambassador of France to India Alexandre Ziegler, “My heartfelt condolences to the family & loved ones of former EAM of India, Smt. Sushma Swaraj ji. One of India’s most respected leaders, she showed remarkable dedication to serving her fellow citizens and took the Indo-French relationship to new heights.” Deeply grieved to hear the demise of my good friend Sushma Sawraj: Abdulla Shahid, Maldivian foreign minister said.
Also, Sushma Swaraj was a good friend of Bangladesh. With her death Bangladesh has lost a good friend: Sheikh Hasina, mentioned Prime Minister of Bangladesh. While Hamid Karzai, Former President of Afghanistan said, Deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Behinji Sushma Swaraj. A tall leader and a great orator and people’s person. My profound condolences to the people of India and her family and friends.
Despite all of above, The Aam Aadmi Party also condoled the demise of former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and mentioned that the nation lost a patriot and a leader who inspired countless people. AAP leader and Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia stated her contribution in Indian politics would remain immortal.
Sushma Swaraj, who was for the Bharatiya Janata Party’s most prominent woman face, did not contest the recently held Lok Sabha elections in which the party won a massive majority. Last November, she had announced she would not contest the general elections. The 67-year-old leader, who had served her fourth term in Lok Sabha had long been her party’s most prominent woman face. She was the youngest cabinet minister at 25 when she joined the Haryana government in 1977 and the first woman chief minister of Delhi.
