Veteran Indian politician Sheila Dikshit passes away
Senior Congress leader and former chief minister of Delhi Sheila Dikshit passed away today at a private hospital in New Delhi aged 81.
Dikshit, who breathed her last at Fortis Escorts hospital, was president of Delhi unit of the Congress and served as Delhi's Chief Minister for 15 years at a stretch from 1998-2013 and also served as the Governor of Kerala.
The veteran politician had unsuccessfully fought in the recent parliamentary elections from North-East Delhi constituency. Earlier, she represented New Delhi constituency in Delhi legislature.
Dikshit became a Lok Sabha lawmaker for the first time from Kannauj constituency in Uttar Pradesh in 1984. She was also a close associate of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and a minister in his cabinet.
Indian President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal were among those who condoled her death.
Modi paid tribute to Dikshit for her noteworthy contribution to Delhi's development.
"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," Modi said in a tweet.
He also offered his condolences to her family and supporters.
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