Three-time Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit at her residence. (Express photo by Neeraj Priyadarshi/File)Former Delhi chief minister and Congress leader Sheila Dikshit passed away at a private hospital in Delhi following a cardiac arrest on Saturday, a family member confirmed to The Indian Express. She was 81.
The three-time CM had not been feeling well and was rushed to Escorts hospital in the morning. Later, she slipped into coma following which she passed away, the family member said. Read in Bangla and Malayalam
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. In the run-up to the recently-concluded Lok Sabha elections, Dikshit had replaced former Union minister Ajay Maken to steer the Congress in the national capital.
A host of political leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, have condoled the demise of Dikshit.
Delhi government to declare a two-day state mourning over Sheila Dikshit's demise: Deputy CM Manish Sisodia
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
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
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
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.
Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee: "Always maintained good relations with me... will really miss her"
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.
BJP's Himanta Biswa Sarma: "I looked up to her for inspiration"
Milind Deora: "INC's tallest urban leader and popular CM"
Statement from Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, New Delhi
"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."
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra: "She loved me, whatever she did for Delhi&the country, people will remember"
"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."
BJP MP and BJP Delhi President, Manoj Tiwari: "had met her recently, it is a big shock"
"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."
Congress leader Sachin Pilot: "She worked tirelessly to build Delhi in world class city"
K C Venugopal: "Her passing away irreplaceable loss to Congress"
'Had family relations with her, she played crucial role in Delhi's development', says BJP's Vijay Goel
Congress leader Ajay Maken: "Delhi can never forget her contribution"
Rahul Gandhi expresses condolences, says Sheila Dikshit was a beloved daughter of Congress Party
Vice President Venkaiah Naidu: "She was a good administrator"
Congress leader DK Shivakumar: "One of the best CM's India has seen"
Former PM Manmohan Singh: "Country has lost a dedicated Congress leader of masses"
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."
V K Singh says "Sheila Dikshit contributed immensely to Delhi's development'
PM Modi: Sheila Dikshit made noteworthy contribution to Delhi's development
Former J&K CM Omar Abdullah: "Always known her as warm and affectionate lady"
President Ram Nath Kovind: "Her term as CM was a period of momentous transformation for Delhi"
'Sheila Dikshit transformed face of Delhi': Congress condoles demise of three-time CM
Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh: "A political era has passed away with her"
Condolences pour in, Kejriwal says 'huge loss for Delhi'
Sheila Dikshit passes away at 81
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.