Sheila Dikshit, Ex-Delhi Chief Minister And Congress Leader, Dies In Delhi At 81: Updates
Sheila Dikshit was a three-time Delhi Chief Minister.
New Delhi: Former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit dies at the age of 81, a family member confirmed to NDTV. The three-time chief minister was admitted at Escorts hospital this morning. The hospital, in a statement, said despite all resuscitative efforts, Sheila Dikshit died after a cardiac arrest. Sheila Dikshit, who was the Delhi Congress chief, had served as Delhi’s chief minister for three consecutive terms between 1998 and 2003. She was succeeded by Aam Aadmi Party’s Arvind Kejriwal. Sheila Dikshit became a lawmaker for the first time from the Kannauj Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh in 1984. She was a close associated of former PM Rajiv Gandhi and a minister in his cabinet. She was credited for Delhi’s growing infrastructure including roads and flyovers, a less polluted city, better public transport system as well as development on the health and educational fronts.
Congress Leader Sheila Dikshit Dies: Tributes
Delhi government has decided to declare 2-day state mourning over the demise of former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, says Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.
Deeply saddened at the passing of Sheila Dikshit Ji. When I became MP, she was the Parliamentary Affairs Minister. She always maintained good relations with me. We will all really miss her
– Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) July 20, 2019
Saddened to know about the demise of Sheila Dikshit Ji, senior leader of congress party. Condolences to bereaved family members and supporters. She will be remembered for her works. May God render peace to the departed soul. Om Shanti.
– Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) July 20, 2019
Deeply saddened to learn of the passing away of Sheila Dikshit. The veteran leader had served as Delhi’s chief minister for three terms. She had also served as Governor of our State. We extend our deepest sympathies to her family. pic.twitter.com/wTEXbrii3w
– Pinarayi Vijayan (@vijayanpinarayi) July 20, 2019
I am saddened and shocked at the passing away of Smt Sheila Dikshit. A former Union Minister, 3 time CM and Governor, in her death I have lost a long time friend and colleague. My thoughts are with her aggrieved family and friends. pic.twitter.com/ol2QtoddFy
– Pranab Mukherjee (@CitiznMukherjee) July 20, 2019
Sheila Dikshit was currently serving as the Delhi Congress chief, a charge she took over in January this year, ahead of the national elections. She had contested the Lok Sabha elections from North East Delhi constituency, but lost to the BJP’s Manoj Tiwari.
Sheila Dikshit’s remains have arrived at her home in Delhi’s Nizamuddin area; her last rites will take place tomorrow.
Veteran Congress leader Sheila Dikshit, who was the longest serving chief minister of Delhi, has died of a cardiac arrest at a hospital in Delhi. She was 81. Sheila Dikshit was admitted to Escorts hospital this morning. She died at 3.55 pm. The hospital, in a statement, said despite all resuscitative efforts, Sheila Dikshit died after a cardiac arrest.
Sheila Dikshit had started off as a reluctant politician, and cut her political teeth assisting her father-in-law, a veteran Uttar Pradesh Congress leader Uma Shankar Dikshit, who was a minster in Indira Gandhi’s cabinet. She became a lawmaker for the first time from the Kannauj Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh in 1984. She was a close associated of former PM Rajiv Gandhi and a minister in his cabinet.
Sheila Dikshit was credited for Delhi’s growing infrastructure including roads and flyovers, a less polluted city, better public transport system as well as development on the health and educational fronts. Sheila Dikshit, after her stint as Delhi chief minister, was sworn in as Kerala’s Governor in 2004, but resigned in just six months.
Arvind Kejriwal tweeted: “Sheila Dikshit’s contribution to Delhi will always be remembered. “It is a huge loss for Delhi and her contribution will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to her family members. May her soul rest in peace,” he said.
Just now got to know about the extremely terrible news about the passing away of Mrs Sheila Dikshit ji. It is a huge loss for Delhi and her contribution will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to her family members. May her soul rest in peace
– Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 20, 2019
President Ram Nath Kovind also offered his condolences. “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,” he tweeted.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was deeply saddened by the death of Sheila Dikshit. “Blessed with a warm and affable personality, she made a noteworthy contribution to Delhi’s development. Condolences to her family and supporters. Om Shanti,” PM Modi tweeted.
Sheila Dikshit, after her stint as Delhi chief minister, was sworn in as Kerala’s Governor in 2004, but resigned in just six months. She had started off as a reluctant politician, and cut her political teeth assisting her father-in-law, a veteran Uttar Pradesh Congress leader Uma Shankar Dikshit, who was a minster in Indira Gandhi’s cabinet. Born in Punjab’s Kapurthala, Mrs Dikshit was credited with numerous people-friendly programmes.
Sheila Dikshit, who was the Delhi Congress chief, had served as Delhi’s chief minister for three consecutive terms between 1998 and 2003. She was succeeded by Aam Aadmi Party’s Arvind Kejriwal.
“We regret to hear of the passing of Smt Sheila Dikshit. 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,” the Congress tweeted.
Former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit passed away on Saturday at an age of 81. The three-time chief minister was admitted at Escorts hospital this morning.