Sushma Swaraj, former foreign minister, passes away

New Delhi: Illustrious BJP leader and former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who brought a rare empathy and a human approach to India's diplomacy, passed away on Tuesday night suffering a massive cardiac arrest. She was 67.

Swaraj was taken to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences around 9:30pm in a critical condition and was straight away taken to the emergency ward where a team of doctors attended to her but could not revive the astute politician, AIIMS sources said.

One of the most prolific politicians of India, Swaraj's sudden demise triggered a wave of shock and grief with leaders cutting across political spectrum paying glowing tributes to the astute leader.

"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," Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted.

Just hours earlier, Swaraj had tweeted to congratulate Prime Minister Narendra 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.

"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.

Swaraj's mortal remains were taken to her residence at 6, Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

Her body will be kept from 11pm-3pm at the BJP headquarters on Wednesday for party workers and leaders to pay tributes, BJP working president J P Nadda said.

Her last rites will be performed at the Lodhi crematorium, he said.

People's minister

She was the most prominent women face of the BJP in the last two decades.

As external affairs minister, Swaraj brought a sense of assertiveness in India's diplomacy and played a key role in resolving the Doklam standoff with China in 2017.

She had also played a key role in India approaching the International Court of Justice challenging a Pakistani military court's death sentence to Kulbhushan Jadhav. Swaraj was known for prompt response on Twitter to address grievances of overseas Indians.

She had also played a key role in strengthening the BJP across the country in 1990s.

The former Union minister 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.

Swaraj had many firsts to her credit such as being the youngest cabinet minister in the Haryana government, first woman chief minister of Delhi and the first woman spokesperson for a national political party in the country.

She started her political life with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, the RSS' student wing, and later joined the BJP.

She was the Information and Broadcasting Minister in the 13-day Atal Bihari Vajpayee government in 1996 and got the Cabinet portfolio again after he led the BJP to power in 1998.

Always eager to take on a challenge, Swaraj contested against the then Congress president Sonia Gandhi in Bellary in 1999 Lok Sabha polls. Though she fell short of votes, she grew in stature.

Long seen as a protege of veteran BJP leader L K Advani, she also was the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha between 2009-14.

Swaraj, a law graduate who practised in the Supreme Court, was elected seven times as a member of Parliament and three times as a member of the legislative assembly.

Swaraj was external affairs minister from 2014 to 2019, leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha from 2009 to 2014, minister for information and broadcasting in Vajpayee government from 2000-2003. She was also chief minister of Delhi in 1998.

Tributes pour in

Prime Minister 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.

"An excellent administrator, Sushma Ji set high standards in every Ministry she handled. She played a key role in bettering India's ties with various nations. As a minister we also saw her compassionate side, helping fellow Indians who were in distress in any part of the world," he said.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed deep condolences on the demise of former external affairs minister and senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi on Tuesday night.

Pinarayi hailed the popular leader's contributions in parliamentary and diplomatic affairs ministries.

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

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said, "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."

The Congress condoled her demise.

"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.

Leaders of various political parties and prominent personalities also condoled Sushma demise.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar has expressed shock over the death of senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj.

"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.

"She was closely associated with Goa. She was a very strong leader who worked for the party. It is a major loss for the BJP and the nation," Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told reporters in Panaji.

"During her five-year tenure as foreign affairs minister, she maintained good relations with various nations," the Goa CM said.

The coastal state's Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat, in his tribute, said, "My tributes to the great leader. May her soul rest in peace. My condolences to her family."

Former prime minister H D Devegowda tweeted, "I am deeply saddened by the sad demise of former Union minister, ex-CM of Delhi Sushma Swaraj Ji. A loss to our Nation. May God give her family the courage to bear this pain."

Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa too expressed his deep sorrow.

He tweeted, "Nation mourns today the loss of one of the strongest leaders and finest spokespersons India has seen. Her work as the MEA has been impeccable and as a politician she inspired many women to enter politics. May her soul rest in peace. Om Shanti."

Former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy tweeted, "I'm shocked to learn about the sudden demise of Former Chief Minister of Delhi, Former Union Minister Sushma Swaraj Ji. May her soul rest in peace. My condolences to her family and loved ones."

Former chief minister Siddaramaiah said he was deeply shocked to know that former Foreign minister Sushma Swaraj was no more.

Union minister D V Sadananda Gowda, Congress state president Dinesh Gundu Rao, Congress working president Eshwar Khandre and many senior leaders joined lakhs of mourners to Express their grief.

BJP working president J P Nadda said Swaraj was an example of an ideal personality, be as an opposition leader or as external affairs minister.

The country will always remember her as extremely simple, empathic, robust, energetic and impressive personality, Nadda said, adding her death is an irreparable loss to the nation and the BJP.

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

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said Swaraj rose through the party's ranks to become the external affairs minister and during her tenure she introduced a new sensitivity and sensibility in the ministry's functioning.

She was known as the people's minister, he noted.

Senior party leader Prakash Javadekar expressed his shock and said Swaraj set an example by connecting the common man's need to the external affairs ministry.

"I have an axe to grind with you Didi . You made Bansuri pick a restaurant to take me for a celebratory lunch. You left without fulfilling your promise to the two of us," Union Minister Smriti Irani tweeted.

Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Tuesday expressed deep condolences on the demise of veteran BJP leader and former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj.

Baijal said Swaraj, who was bold, visionary and humane leader, will be sorely be missed by all.

"Extremely saddened to learn about Sushmaji's tragic untimely departure. A bold, visionary and humane leader, she will sorely be missed by all. May her soul rest in eternal peace," Baijal tweeted.

Sisodia said her contribution to the Indian politics will be immortal.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also expressed her grief and shock over the sudden demise of Sushma Swaraj.

Banerjee described Swaraj as an outstanding politician, a good human being with whom she had shared "many cordial times in the Parliament" though they differed in their ideology.

"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, Banerjee wrote on her Twitter handle.

The Trinamool Congress chief, who is in Chennai for the inauguration of DMK patriarch Karunanidhi's statue, extended her condolences to Swaraj's family and admirers.