File photo: Former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit.
Senior Congress leader and three-time former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit passed away on Saturday afternoon at a private hospital. She was 81.
Dikshit breathed her last at 3.55 pm at Fortis Escorts hospital, doctors said.
President Ram Nath Kovind offered condolences to the senior leader’s family and associates.
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
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu expressed grief over her demise.
I express my profound sorrow and grief over the demise of former Chief Minister of Delhi, Smt. Sheila Dikshit today. She was a good administrator. #SheilaDikshit pic.twitter.com/uusV7uIi9q
— VicePresidentOfIndia (@VPSecretariat) July 20, 2019
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the demise of senior Congress leader Sheila Dikshit, saying she made a noteworthy contribution to Delhi’s development. In a tweet, he offered his condolence to her family and supporters.
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
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said he was devastated to hear about the passing away of former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit and called her a “beloved daughter” of the party.
I’m 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.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 20, 2019
Sheila Dikshit was president of Delhi Congress. She served as Delhi’s chief minister for 15 years from 1998-2013 and also served as the governor of Kerala.
She unsuccessfully fought the recent Lok Sabha elections from the North-East Delhi constituency. She represented New Delhi constituency in Delhi Vidhan Sabha.
Dikshit became an MP for the first time from Kannauj Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh in 1984. She was also a close associate of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi and a minister in his cabinet.
President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal were among those who condoled her death.
(with inputs from PTI)