‘Stateswoman extraordinaire, diplomat par excellence’: Tributes pour in for Sushma Swaraj

Sushma Swaraj’s last rites to be held today. Follow LIVE Updates

Expressing grief over her death, the PM tweeted: “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.”

Several senior ministers, including Harsh Vardhan, Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani Prakash Javadekar, reached AIIMS after she was admitted to the hospital.

Sushma Ji’s demise is a personal loss. She will be remembered fondly for everything that she’s done for India. My thoughts are with her family, supporters and admirers in this very unfortunate hour. Om Shanti.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 6, 2019

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

In Photos | See rare photos of former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said Swaraj’s death was a huge loss to the country and a personal loss to him.”She was an excellent administrator, outstanding Parliamentarian & a remarkable orator. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved family members,” he tweeted.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said Swaraj despite being a politician, kept human sensibilities paramount.

Deeply saddened, shocked at the sudden passing away of Sushma Swaraj Ji.I knew her since the 1990s.Even though our ideologies differed, we shared many cordial times in Parliament. An outstanding politician, leader, good human being.Will miss her.Condolences to her family/admirers

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) August 6, 2019

Shocked beyond words & distressed at the passing away of Smt #SushmaSwaraj. An astute parliamentarian, an effective orator & an excellent humane leader, she will forever be remembered and missed. Hers was a story of hard work to heights!
My deepest condolences and prayers.

— Pranab Mukherjee (@CitiznMukherjee) August 6, 2019

Swaraj had put out a tweet in the evening congratulating Prime Modi after the Centre’s move to revoke special status for Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcate the border state into two Union Territories secured Parliament’s approval.

“Narendra Modi ji – Thank you Prime Minister. Thank you very much. I was waiting to see this day in my lifetime,” she had said.

प्रधान मंत्री जी – आपका हार्दिक अभिनन्दन. मैं अपने जीवन में इस दिन को देखने की प्रतीक्षा कर रही थी. @narendramodi ji – Thank you Prime Minister. Thank you very much. I was waiting to see this day in my lifetime.

— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) August 6, 2019

PM Modi, in his tweets, hailed Swaraj as a “prolific orator and outstanding parliamentarian” and said she was admired and revered across party lines. “She was uncompromising when it came to matters of ideology and interests of the BJP, whose growth she immensely contributed to,” Modi said.

Read | Sushma Swaraj helped Indians in distress, played perfect foil to a visible PM

President Ram Nath Kovind also mourned over the loss. “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,” he tweeted.

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 #PresidentKovind

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 6, 2019

Home Minister Amit Shah said she left an indelible mark in national politics. Describing her as a simple and rare politician, he said she was a strong voice of the BJP when it was in the opposition and left an indelible mark as a minister.

DMK president M K Stalin also condoled Swaraj’s death, hailing her for scaling new heights in public life with by her efficient work. Stalin tweeted, “She brought laurels by her efficient work in whatever responsibility she held.” The DMK top leader conveyed his condolences to her family and the BJP.

AAP leader and Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said her contribution in Indian politics would remain immortal.

“The news of passing away f Sushma Swaraj is extremely sad. Her contribution to Indian politics would remain immortal. May her soul rest in peace,” Sisodia tweeted.

Foreign dignitaries and leaders also paid their tributes.

Deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Behinji Sushma Swaraj. A tall leader and a great orator and people’s person. My profound condolences to the people of India and her family and friends. @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/fHT70dH58J

— Hamid Karzai (@KarzaiH) August 6, 2019

Javad Zarif, Foreign Minister of Iran said he was “saddened by her sudden passing”.

My deepest condolences to the government and the people of India on the passing of former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

I had many fruitful and useful discussions with her while she held office, and am saddened by her sudden passing.

May she forever rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/FHtjyQbExf

— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) August 6, 2019

Swaraj held the crucial External Affairs Ministry in the previous Modi Cabinet. 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.

(With PTI inputs)