Three-time Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit dies of prolonged illness; President, PM mourn

New Delhi: Senior Congress leader and former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit passed away at a city hospital on Saturday after prolonged illness. She was 81.

Media reports said she was rushed to the Escorts Fortis hospital on Saturday morning after she complained of uneasiness.

“At around 3.15 pm she suffered cardiac arrest after which she was put on ventilator. At around 3.55 pm, she passed away,” hospital authorities told the media today.

Dikshit, a loyal Congress leader considered very close to UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, had served as the chief minister of Delhi for three consecutive terms from 1998 to 2013.

Only in January this year, she was appointed the president of the Delhi Congress in January after Ajay Maken stepped down.

She is credited for transforming the face of Delhi. Also, it was during her tenure that the Commonwealth Games were held in Delhi.

Deeply saddened by the demise of Sheila Dikshit Ji. Blessed with a warm and affable personality, she made a noteworthy contribution to Delhi’s development. Condolences to her family and supporters. Om Shanti. pic.twitter.com/jERrvJlQ4X

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 20, 2019

Condolence messages poured in as she passed away. Politicians from across party lines, such as President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and former Congress president Rahul Gandhi mourned the death of the leader.

I’m devastated to hear about the passing away of Sheila Dikshit Ji, a beloved daughter of the Congress Party, with whom I shared a close personal bond.

My condolences to her family & the citizens of Delhi, whom she served selflessly as a 3 term CM, in this time of great grief.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 20, 2019