Senior BJP leader and former foreign minister Sushma Swaraj passed away at AIIMS on Tuesday. The BJP veteran, who suffered a massive heart attack, died at the age of 67. Her last Twitter post was about thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the government’s move on Kashmir stating that she was waiting for this day in her lifetime.
Swaraj, who was Bharatiya Janata Party’s most prominent woman face, did not contest the recently held Lok Sabha elections in which the party won with a massive majority. Last November, she had announced she would not contest the general elections.
On the demise of Sushma Swaraj, Prime Minister Narendra 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."
Sushma Ji was a prolific orator and outstanding Parliamentarian. 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.
Former Chief Election Commissioner Dr SY Quraishi said, “I feel devastated to hear the sad news about passing on of Sushma Swaraj. Ever since she became my minister in 1977 in Haryana (youngest minister in the country) she had been very fond of me. She brought me as DG Doordarshan. Always a pillar of support. I love you ma’am! RIP.”
Shocked and deeply saddened by this tragic news of the demise of Sushma Swaraj, Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi said, “My sincerest condolences. Knew her from SC days, as highly cultured attendee at my wife’s ghazal & sufi recitals, most graceful, powerful orator, warm & helpful. Very soft & considerate yet committed to causes.”
Shashi Tharoor in a tweet said, "Shocked and saddened by this news. She was a brilliant speaker in Hindi, a genuine "people's person" in Government & I was proud of our excellent relationship when I chaired the External Affairs Committee. Om Shanti..."
Swaraj was perhaps the most 'millennial' minister the Indian government has ever had. From being tagged the 'supermom' of India by Washington Post to becoming one of the most-followed politicians on Twitter, the late external affairs minister had truly struck a chord with young and old alike with her round-the-clock social media presence, eagerness to help, and ready wit on social media.
