#RIPSushmaji: Remembering the prolific leader, Read who said what

New Delhi: Expressing grief at the demise of former Union minister Sushma Swaraj, many prominent personalities from political sphere came forward to pay tribute to the prolific leader on Wednesday.

Swaraj died in AIIMS, Delhi on Tuesday night following a cardiac arrest. She was 67.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described her demise as a "personal loss".

"India grieves the demise of a remarkable leader," Modi wrote on Twitter.

He said he could not forget how the former external affairs minister worked tirelessly.

"Even when her health was not good, she would do everything possible to do justice to her work and remain up to date with matters of her Ministry. The spirit and commitment was unparalleled," he said.

Sushma Ji’s demise is a personal loss. She will be remembered fondly for everything that she’s done for India. My thoughts are with her family, supporters and admirers in this very unfortunate hour. Om Shanti.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 6, 2019

With her death, a glorious chapter in Indian politics has come to an end, he added.

Modi said Swaraj was one of her kind, who was a source of inspiration for crores of people.

"Sushma Ji was a prolific orator and outstanding Parliamentarian. She was admired and revered across party lines," he said.

"She was uncompromising when it came to matters of ideology and interests of the BJP, whose growth she immensely contributed to," he added.

Describing her as an excellent administrator, the prime minister said Swaraj 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," he said.

"Sushma Ji's demise is a personal loss. She will be remembered fondly for everything that she's done for India. My thoughts are with her family, supporters and admirers in this very unfortunate hour. Om Shanti," he said.

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao praised her services to the nation in different capacities. Rao conveyed his condolences to bereaved family members.

Many BJP leaders condoled the death of former Union minister Sushma Swaraj with Home Minister Amit Shah saying that she left an indelible mark in the national politics.

सुषमा स्वराज जी का निधन भाजपा और भारतीय राजनीति के लिए एक अपूरणीय क्षति है।

मैं समस्त भाजपा कार्यकर्ताओं की ओर से उनके परिजनों, समर्थकों व शुभचिंतकों के प्रति अपनी गहरी संवेदना व्यक्त करता हूँ। ईश्वर दिवंगत आत्मा को चिर शान्ति प्रदान करे।

ॐ शांति शांति शांति

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 6, 2019

Describing her as a simple and rare politician, Shah said she was a strong voice of the BJP when it was in opposition and left an indelible mark as a minister.

West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar condoled the demise of former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, describing her as "a prolific orator and an outstanding parliamentarian".

"The nation lost a prolific orator, an outstanding parliamentarian and an acclaimed leader who was admired and revered across socio-political spectrum. A lawyer of eminence who enriched all walks of public life," he said.

"She (Swaraj) epitomized dignity, courage and integrity. I always noticed sublimity and humility in her. Her significant contributions to public life evoked admiration and left an indelible imprint on global polity. She was a politician, who lived like a statesman.

"Her last tweet after the epochal development in J&K - 'I was waiting to see this day in my lifetime' would forever resonate in our hearts," the newly sworn-in governor added.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan hailed the popular leader's contributions in parliamentary and diplomatic affairs ministries.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described Swaraj as an outstanding politician, a good human being with whom she had shared "many cordial times in the Parliament" though they differed in their ideology.

"Deeply saddened, shocked at the sudden passing away of Sushma Swaraj Ji.I knew her since the 1990s. Even though our ideologies differed, we shared many cordial times in Parliament. An outstanding politician, leader, good human being.Will miss her, Banerjee wrote on her Twitter handle.

The Trinamool Congress chief, who is in Chennai for the inauguration of DMK patriarch Karunanidhi's statue, extended her condolences to Swaraj's family and admirers.

BJP working president J P Nadda said Swaraj was an example of an ideal personality, be as an opposition leader or as external affairs minister.

The country will always remember her as extremely simple, empathic, robust, energetic and impressive personality, Nadda said, adding her death is an irreparable loss to the nation and the BJP.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said Swaraj rose through the party's ranks to become the external affairs minister and during her tenure she introduced a new sensitivity and sensibility in the ministry's functioning.

She was known as the people's minister, he noted.

Smt Sushma Swaraj served the nation with diligence and brilliance. Her contribution to the nation and the party will always be remembered.

I offer my heartfelt tributes to her and extend my condolences to her bereaved family.

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) August 6, 2019

Senior party leader Prakash Javadekar expressed his shock and said Swaraj set an example by connecting the common man's need to the external affairs ministry.

"I have an axe to grind with you Didi . You made Bansuri pick a restaurant to take me for a celebratory lunch. You left without fulfilling your promise to the two of us," Union Minister Smriti Irani tweeted.

Former prime minister H D Devegowda tweeted, "I am deeply saddened by the sad demise of former Union minister, ex-CM of Delhi Sushma Swaraj Ji. A loss to our Nation. May God give her family the courage to bear this pain."

I am deeply saddened by the sad demise of Former Union Minister, ex-CM of Delhi @SushmaSwaraj ji. A loss to our Nation.

May God give her family the courage to bear this pain.#SushmaSwaraj

— H D Devegowda (@H_D_Devegowda) August 6, 2019

Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa too expressed his deep sorrow.

He tweeted, "Nation mourns today the loss of one of the strongest leaders and finest spokespersons India has seen. Her work as the MEA has been impeccable and as a politician she inspired many women to enter politics. May her soul rest in peace. Om Shanti."

Nation mourns today the loss of one of the strongest leaders & finest spokespersons India has seen. Her work as the MEA has been impeccable & as a politician she inspired many women to enter politics. May her soul rest in peace. #OmShanthi#SushmaSwaraj pic.twitter.com/aAWBCdUl5M

— B.S. Yediyurappa (@BSYBJP) August 6, 2019

Former chief minister Siddaramaiah said he was deeply shocked to know that former Foreign minister Sushma Swaraj was no more.

Union minister D V Sadananda Gowda, Congress state president Dinesh Gundu Rao, Congress working president Eshwar Khandre and many senior leaders joined lakhs of mourners to Express their grief.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Governor Phagu Chauhan condoled the demise of former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj.

Kumar, who was Swaraj's cabinet colleague in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, described her as "a great orator, an energetic and efficient leader who had many talents".

पूर्व केंद्रीय मंत्री, वरिष्ठ भाजपा नेता सुषमा स्वराज जी का निधन दुःखद। वे एक प्रखर वक्ता, ओजस्वी एवं कुशल नेतृत्व के साथ विलक्षण प्रतिभा की धनी थीं। उनके द्वारा किए गए कार्यों को देश हमेशा याद रखेगा। ईश्वर उनकी आत्मा को शांति दें। #RIPSushmaSwaraj Jihttps://t.co/2lwtR4S7at

— Nitish Kumar (@NitishKumar) August 7, 2019

"The nation is in grief over her demise and will always remember her efforts in the interests of the country and its people," the chief minister said.

"Her death is an irreparable loss. May her soul rest in peace and members of her family find the strength to bear the tragedy," he added.

Chauhan said Swaraj was known for her "erudition and patriotism", besides being "hugely popular with admirers in all political parties and a source of inspiration for millions of Indians".

She is survived by her husband Swaraj Kaushal and daughter Bansuri.