NEW DELHI: Former External Affairs Minister and senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj passed away on Tuesday night, AIIMS sources said. She was 67.
The senior BJP leader was admitted to the All India Institute of Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi in a critical condition after suffering a cardiac arrest.
Several senior ministers, including Harsh Vardhan, Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani Prakash Javadekar, reached AIIMS after she was admitted to the hospital.
Sushma Swaraj was a favourite on Twitter during her term in office responding to calls and messages of distress from Indians all over the world.’
A seven-time Member of Parliament, she also served as MLA for three terms. She also served as 5th Chief Minister of Delhi from 13 October, 1998 to 3 December, 1998.
President Ram Nath Kovind expressed shock over the death of senior BJP leader and former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.
Sushma Swaraj ji was one of her kind, who was a source of inspiration for crores of people,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a series of tweets.
The Congress also tweeted, “We are saddened to hear about the untimely demise of Smt Sushma Swaraj. Our condolences to her family and loved ones.”
Sushma Swaraj did not contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and chose to sit out of the government this year on account of her health.At the age of 25 in 1977, she became the youngest cabinet minister in Haryana. She also served as the chief minister of Delhi in 1998.
Sushma Swaraj will be cremated at the Lodhi Road crematorium. The ‘antim darshan’ will be held from 12 pm till 3 pm at BJP HQs.
