Former Union minister Sushma Swaraj dead

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, August 6

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Former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj passed away at AIIMS on Tuesday night after she suffered a heart attack.

Swaraj, who had tweeted only three hours ago congratulating the PM for abrogating Article 370, had written “I was waiting to see this day in lifetime.” 

?????? ?????? ?? - ???? ??????? ????????. ??? ???? ???? ??? ?? ??? ?? ????? ?? ????????? ?? ??? ??. ji - Thank you Prime Minister. Thank you very much. I was waiting to see this day in my lifetime.

— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj)

Swaraj was in Parliament to witness the Lok Sabha debate the scrapping of special status to Jammu and Kashmir and also to pass a Bill bifurcating the state.

She looked hale and hearty and met people at Parliament House.

The former minister is learnt to have suffered a cardiac complication later today and was shifted to AIIMS where she was delivered emergency care.

Swaraj had a kidney transplant in 2016 and had opted out of contesting Lok Sabha polls earlier this year for health reasons.

She is survived by her husband Swaraj Kaushal and daughter Bansuri.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday condoled the demise of former Union minister Sushma Swaraj, saying a glorious chapter in Indian politics had come to an end.

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.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi)

In a statement, AIIMS said, "Former Union Minister Sushma Swaraj has passed away. She suffered a cardiac arrest; was administered CPR but did not respond."

Meanwhile, ministers rushed to Swaraj’s residence after the news.

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.

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar)

"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 tweeted.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said he was deeply shocked and anguished by the sudden demise of an extremely valued colleague.

"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," Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Twitter.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar expressed shock over the death of the former External Affairs Minister.

"Shocked to hear about the sad demise of Sushmaji Swaraj. She would always call me 'Sharad Bhau'," Pawar tweeted.

"We've lost a great statesman, eloquent orator, efficient administrator, fellow parliamentarian and above all a kind hearted person," Pawar tweeted. — With PTI inputs