NEW DELHI: Sheila Dikshit, the longest serving chief minister of Delhi, died of a cardiac arrest on Saturday, marking the end of an era in Delhi politics. She was 81.
Dikshit's body was taken to her East Nizamuddin home where a large number of eminent politicians from different parties paid tributes to her. The veteran leader’s body will be taken to 24, Akbar Road, Congress headquarters at 11.30 am on Sunday where people can pay their last respects. Her last rites will be performed at about 2.30 pm at Nigambodh Ghat.
The veteran leader took over as Delhi Congress chief in January, ahead of the elections. She had contested the Lok Sabha elections from North East Delhi constituency, but lost to Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari.
Cutting across party lines, senior political leaders paid tributes to her at her Nizamuudin residence. Among the one's who paid tributes to her were Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia, senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel, former Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari, Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Vijen-der Gupta and Rajya Sabha MP Vijay Goel.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said he was “devastated to hear about the passing away of Sheila Dikshit Ji, a beloved daughter of the Congress party, with whom I shared a close personal bond. My condolences to her family & the citizens of Delhi, whom she served selflessly as a 3 term CM, in this time of great grief," he tweeted.
Mr Modi said he was deeply saddened by the death of Dikshit. He said she made a noteworthy contribution to Delhi's development. “Blessed with a warm and affable personality, she made a noteworthy contribution to Delhi’s development. Condole-nces to her family and supporters. Om Shanti," the PM tweeted.
President Ram Nath Kovind said her term in office was a period of momentous transformation for the capital for which she will be remembered.
Former prime minister Manmohan Singh said the country has lost a dedicated leader of the masses. Dehi CM Arvind Kejriwal said Dikshit’s contribution to Delhi will always be remembered.
