Ex-Delhi CM and Congress leader Sheila Dikshit passes away at 81

Ex-Delhi CM Passes Away - Senior Congress leader and former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit passed away in Delhi on Saturday, 20 July. She was 81 years old. Sheila Dikshitwas admitted to Escorts Hospital in the national capital a few days ago, her family and the party said. She suffered a cardiac arrest and breathed her last around 3.55 pm.
 
Sheila Dikshit served as a parliamentarian from the Kannauj constituency from 1984-1989 and also served as a Union minister from 1986-1989. Her political career from Delhi started in earnest in 1998, when she defeated the BJP?s Lal Bihari Tiwari from east Delhi in the Lok Sabha election and became the CM the next year.
The three-time chief minister inspired the Indian National Congress (INC) party in Delhi, ruling uncontested from 1998-2013. Her tenure saw a period of dominance in the capital by the Congress party, until her loss to current chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party?s Arvind Kejriwal in 2013.
 
The Congress had lost all seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi to the BJP with huge margins. However, under Dikshit's leadership the party managed to push Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidates to the third place in five of the seven seats, besides registering a growth in its vote share.
After the Congress' defeat in Delhi, Sheila Dikshit had offered her resignation to the party president but it was not accepted.
"We regret to hear of the passing of Smt Sheila Dikshit," the Congress said in a tweet. "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."
 

Various politicians, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh have expressed their condolences on the veteran Congress leader's death.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was deeply saddened by the Dikshit's demise. "Blessed with a warm and affable personality, she made a noteworthy contribution to Delhi?s development. Condolences to her family and supporters."

Look at some tweets here on the demise of Ex-CM Sheila Dixit:

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

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.

Sheilaji was widely respected cutting across party lines. My thoughts are with her bereaved family & supporters. Om Shanti!

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) 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

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 about the passing away of #SheilaDixit ji. Heartfelt condolences to her family and loved ones.

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) July 20, 2019

Extremely sad to hear of the passing away of #SheilaDixit ji. Thoughts and prayers with her family and supporters in this difficult time.

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) 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