New Delhi, July 20 : Senior Congress leader Sheila Dikshit passed away at the age of 81 years this afternoon. She was admitted to Escort Hospital in Delhi when her health deteriorated.
Dikshit was Chief Minister of Delhi for 15 years, currently the chairperson of Delhi Congress. Dikshit ruled Delhi from 1998 to 2013. In the recent Lok Sabha elections, the Congress party had made Dikshit its candidate for the North-East Delhi Lok Sabha seat. However, she had to face the defeat of BJP state president Manoj Tiwari.
Sheila Dikshit was born on March 31, 1938 in Kapurthala, Punjab. In 2014, she was made the Governor of Kerala. However, she resigned on August 25, 2014. She had contested Lok Sabha elections from North-East Delhi this year. However, she had to face defeat at the hands of Manoj Tiwari of BJP.
Sheela was an MP from Kannauj Lok Sabha seat from 1984 to 1989. She was also the Union Minister from 1986-1989.
Sheila Dikshit contested for the first time from Kannauj seat in 1984. Here she defeated the Chhotey Singh Yadav of SP. While being a Member of Parliament from 1984 to 1989, he has been a representative of India in the United Nations Commission on Status of Women. After this, she became Chief Minister of New Delhi in 1998 and remained in the post till 2013.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his condolences on the death of Shiela Dikshit. In a tweet he said he is deeply saddened by the news. “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,”.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal too has expressed grief on her death. He said Sheila Dikshit’s death is a “huge loss”for the people of Delhi.”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,”
The Congress said in a tweet,”We regret to hear of the passing of Smt Sheila Dikshit. Lifelong congresswoman and as three time CM of Delhi .She transformed the face of Delhi. Our condolences to her family and friends. Hope they find strength in this time of grief,”.
