PM, President, Vice President Condole Sheila Dikshit's Demise

President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu Saturday expressed sorrow at the demise of former Delhi chief minister Shiela Dikshit, saying her term in office was a period of momentous transformation for the national capital.

Sheila Dikshit. PTI

NEW DELHI: President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu Saturday expressed sorrow at the demise of former Delhi chief minister Shiela Dikshit, saying her term in office was a period of momentous transformation for the national capital. Dikshit (81) passed away here following a prolonged illness. Kovind offered condolences to the senior leader's family and associates. "Sad to hear of the passing of Smt Sheila Dikshit, former chief minister of Delhi and a senior political figure. Her term in office was a period of momentous transformation for the capital for which she will be remembered," he tweeted. Naidu expressed grief over her demise. "I express my profound sorrow and grief over the demise of former Chief Minister of Delhi, Smt. Sheila Dikshit today. She was a good administrator," Naidu's secretariat tweeted. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the demise Dikshit, saying she made a noteworthy contribution to Delhi's development. In a tweet, he offered his condolence to her family and supporters. "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," he said. "Condolences to her family and supporters. Om Shanti," Modi said. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal condoled the demise of his predecessor Sheila Dikshit and said her contribution will always be remembered. "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," Kejriwal posted on Twitter. In view of Dikshit's demise, the chief minister also cancelled his scheduled trip to Vaishno Devi Temple in Jammu and Kashmir. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said he was devastated to hear about the passing away of Dikshit and called her a "beloved daughter" of the party. In a tweet, Gandhi said, "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." The Congress, in its official Twitter handle, posted, "We regret to hear of the passing (away) 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." Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also condoled the demise of his party colleague Dikshit. "Deeply sad and anguished to know about the demise of Sheila Dikshit ji. It is a great loss for Congress," Gehlot tweeted. "She was a mass leader and would be hugely missed," he added.