Former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit dies at the age of 81, a family member confirmed to NDTV. The three-time chief minister was admitted at Escorts hospital this morning. The hospital, in a statement, said despite all resuscitative efforts, Sheila Dikshit died after a cardiac arrest. Sheila Dikshit, who was the Delhi Congress chief, had served as Delhi's chief minister for three consecutive terms between 1998 and 2003. She was succeeded by Aam Aadmi Party's Arvind Kejriwal. Sheila Dikshit became a lawmaker for the first time from the Kannauj Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh in 1984. She was a close associated of former PM Rajiv Gandhi and a minister in his cabinet. She was credited for Delhi's growing infrastructure including roads and flyovers, a less polluted city, better public transport system as well as development on the health and educational fronts.
Congress Leader Sheila Dikshit Dies: Tributes
Sheila Dikshit was fond of Western music since her young days and would sit near the radio waiting for her favourite songs to be aired. She also developed a fascination for footwear and had a good collection. Apart from these, reading was a big passion. She also loved watching movies and her first film in theatres was Hamlet in black-and-white. In the midst of hectic political activity too, she would take out time for watching a movie and had watched Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Dilwale Dulhania Le Jaenge 20 times. Sheila Dikshit had mentioned about these in her autobiography Citizen Delhi: My Times, My Life published last year.
"An able administrator, she made immense contribution to the development of Delhi. Apart from many other achievements in her long career in public life, Sheilaji will be remembered as a fine human being."
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh: It is great loss for the country & Congress party. Delhi has lost an outstanding leader & administrator who transformed the state beyond recognition. Country will remember her contribution towards the transformation of Delhi for a long time. pic.twitter.com/d3rbGNMD9c
- ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2019
Delhi: Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh lays wreath & pays respects to former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit at the latter's residence in Nizamuddin. Dikshit, 81, passed away due to cardiac arrest, earlier today. pic.twitter.com/N1Vra29yUc
- ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2019
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh: Sheila Ji was counted among the most seasoned politicians of our nation. Her political life was spotless, I pay my tributes to her. pic.twitter.com/3P0lzGJ51I
- ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2019
Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh pays tribute to former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, who passed away today, due to cardiac arrest. pic.twitter.com/CcfGLpZpts
- ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2019
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal: People will miss Sheila Dikshit ji a lot, she had worked a lot for Delhi. Even though we were from different parties, whenever I met her she showed a lot of love. I pray to god to give peace to her soul & strength to her family to cope with this loss. pic.twitter.com/uNSDpxL2Xh
- ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2019
Sandeep Dikshit, son of former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit: My mother passed away, it's natural that I'll miss her. The pain of losing a mother cannot be erased. Whenever, people will talk of a developed & growing Delhi, Sheila ji's name will be remembered. pic.twitter.com/hEl9DJiDne
- ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2019
Delhi minister Manish Sisodia has said on his official Twitter account that the national capital will observe a two-day state mourning after the death of former Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.
Delhi govt has decided to observe a two-day state mourning as a mark of respect in the memory of former Chief Minister and veteran leader Mrs Sheila Dikshit ji. She will be accorded a state funeral.
- Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) July 20, 2019
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal & Deputy CM Manish Sisodia pay tribute to Sheila Dikshit, who passed away today, due to cardiac arrest. pic.twitter.com/4Pu5DHQR7r
- ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2019
BJP MP & BJP Delhi President, Manoj Tiwari pays tribute to former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit who passed away today, due to a cardiac arrest. pic.twitter.com/Tg0affJdMx
- ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2019
#WATCH Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays tribute to former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit who passed away today, due to a cardiac arrest. pic.twitter.com/YV1YpychEh
- ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2019
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla pays tribute to former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, who passed away today, in Delhi due to cardiac arrest. pic.twitter.com/skHDEKdh7I
- ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2019
Delhi: UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi pays tribute to former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. pic.twitter.com/FxKxCCT48J
- ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2019
Delhi: BJP leader Vijay Goel pays tribute to Former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit at her residence in Nizamuddin. #SheilaDikshit pic.twitter.com/aOJAJEKehY
- ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2019
Deeply saddened to learn about the demise of Smt Sheila Dikshit, former CM of Delhi. Her tenure as CM of our capital city will always be remembered. We have lost a senior Congress leader and an able administrator. My sincere condolences to her family members.
- Sharad Pawar (@PawarSpeaks) July 20, 2019
Deeply saddened at the passing of Sheila Dikshit Ji. When I became MP, she was the Parliamentary Affairs Minister. She always maintained good relations with me. We will all really miss her
- Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) July 20, 2019
Saddened to know about the demise of Sheila Dikshit Ji, senior leader of congress party. Condolences to bereaved family members and supporters. She will be remembered for her works. May God render peace to the departed soul. Om Shanti.
- Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) July 20, 2019
Deeply saddened to learn of the passing away of Sheila Dikshit. The veteran leader had served as Delhi's chief minister for three terms. She had also served as Governor of our State. We extend our deepest sympathies to her family. pic.twitter.com/wTEXbrii3w
- Pinarayi Vijayan (@vijayanpinarayi) July 20, 2019
I am saddened and shocked at the passing away of Smt Sheila Dikshit. A former Union Minister, 3 time CM and Governor, in her death I have lost a long time friend and colleague. My thoughts are with her aggrieved family and friends. pic.twitter.com/ol2QtoddFy
- Pranab Mukherjee (@CitiznMukherjee) July 20, 2019
Just now got to know about the extremely terrible news about the passing away of Mrs Sheila Dikshit ji. It is a huge loss for Delhi and her contribution will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to her family members. May her soul rest in peace
- Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 20, 2019
