Sheila Dikshit's death: Nation mourns Delhi’s development icon

NEW DELHI: Condolences poured in from various quarters on the death of Sheila Dikshit with President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalling the three-time Delhi CM’s contribution to the development of the national capital.
In his condolence message, the President said, “Her term in office was a period of momentous transformation for the capital for which she will be remembered.”

Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu hailed her as “a good administrator”.“I express my profound sorrow and grief over the demise of former Chief Minister of Delhi,” the vice-president’s secretariat said in a tweet.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “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.”

Former Prime Minister and Sheila’s party colleague Manmohan Singh said that in her death, the country had lost “a dedicated Congress leader of the masses”. “People of Delhi will always remember her contribution to the development during her three tenures as Chief Minister of Delhi,” Singh said.
Sheila Dikshit with husband Vinod Dikshit
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also condoled her demise.
“I am 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 three-term chief minister, in this time of great grief,” Rahul tweeted.
Sheila Dikshit with her children, Latika and Sandeep
Priyanka, who was in Uttar Pradesh, told reporters in Varanasi, “She was a tall leader of the Congress. Her contributions to the party, to the politics of the entire nation, especially Delhi, will always be remembered.”
Later she tweeted, “Sheila ji will always be remembered for her years of exemplary governance and immense contribution to the development of Delhi. I will miss her wise counsel, her sweet smile and the warmth with which she would hug me whenever we met.”
BJP president Amit Shah said, “I am extremely saddened at the demise of former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit. I express my condolences to her family and supporters. May God give strength to her family in this hour of grief.”
Senior BJP leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra, who was leader of the Opposition in Sheila’s last term as CM, said it was a personal loss for him and a great loss to the Delhi people as she was an icon of development in the city.
“I called her a week ago and told her she should not have contested LS polls. She told me she could not have avoided the responsibility given to her by her party. There are few politicians who are dedicated to their party to the extent she was,” he said.
BJP working president JP Nadda said, “Deeply saddened by the demise of Sheila Dikshit Ji. Condolences to her family and supporters in this hour of grief. May her soul rest in peace.”