A Parliamentarian With Friends Across Party Lines! How Opposition Remembers Sushma Swaraj

While the entire BJP is in a mourning state, Swaraj's sudden demise has also triggered a wave of shock and grief even among leaders across different party lines.

The 67-year-old veteran BJP leader took her last breath on Tuesday evening. (Image: PTI)

New Delhi: The untimely demise of former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj comes as one of the most shocking news of the recent times. While the entire Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is in a mourning state, Swaraj's sudden demise has triggered a wave of shock and grief even among leaders across different party lines. Swaraj was one of the most prolific politicians of India, who brought a rare empathy and a human approach to the nation's diplomacy. Remembering her contributions to the Indian political landscape, leaders from different political ideologies have come forward and termed Swaraj as a charismatic, dynamic leader and a woman of grit. The 67-year-old veteran BJP leader took her last breath on Tuesday evening as she suffered a major cardiac arrest and passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Science in New Delhi. As soon as the news of her sudden demise came into lights, condolences from across the country started pouring in. What made Swaraj stand out of the lot was the fact that she would respond to every appeal for assistance, and make sure the Indian missions responded to the requests. In this way she gave the human touch to the Ministry of External Affairs, and won millions of admirers across the world, including many in Pakistan. Many Pakistani patients would appeal to her for medical visas via twitter, and Sushma would try to accommodate their requests. She would also connect with some of the Pakistanis who she helped get emergency medical visas. In 2017, she won admiration when she granted a year-long medical visa to a Pakistani girl Shireen Shiraz for an open heart surgery. Not just leaders from BJP such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP veteran leader LK Advani and others expressed grief on Swaraj's death, many of her political Opponents including leaders from Congress, Trinamool Congress, Bahujan Samaj Party, Samajwadi Party and others too condoled the demise of the people's minister. Here's a look at how leaders from Opposition parties reacted to the news of Sushma Swaraj's demise:

I’m shocked to hear about the demise of Sushma Swaraj Ji, an extraordinary political leader, a gifted orator & an exceptional Parliamentarian, with friendships across party lines.

My condolences to her family in this hour of grief. May her soul rest in peace. Om Shanti ???? — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 6, 2019

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.Condolences to her family/admirers

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) August 6, 2019

बीजेपी की वरिष्ठ नेता व केन्द्रीय मंत्री रही श्रीमती सुषमा स्वराज के अचानक निधन की खबर अति-दुःखद है। वे काफी कुशल राजनीतिज्ञ व प्रशासक ही नहीं बल्कि एक अति-मिलनसार महिला थीं। उनके परिवार के प्रति गहरी संवेदना।

— Mayawati (@Mayawati) August 6, 2019

दुखद! श्रीमती सुषमा स्वराज जी का निधन अपूरणीय क्षति है। ईश्वर उनकी आत्मा को शांति एवं परिजनों को शक्ति दे। कुशल नेतृत्व एवं उत्कर्ष कार्यकुशलता के लिए सुषमा जी हमेशा स्मरणीय रहेंगी।शत् शत् नमन। विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि!

— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) August 6, 2019

Sushma ji was former CM of Delhi. Delhi will pay its respects by observing state mourning for two days https://t.co/BmCmZaOez7

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) August 7, 2019

Deeply saddened that Sushma Swaraj ji has passed away. She served her party and the country with loyalty, devotion and distinction. She added a new, people friendly dimension to the office of Foreign Minister My sincere and heartfelt condolences to her family and loved ones.

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) August 6, 2019

Shocked & saddened by this news. I last saw Sushmaji at @PMOIndia's swearing-in two months ago. She was a brilliant speaker in Hindi, a genuine "people's person" in Government &I was proud of our excellent relationship when I chaired the External Affairs Committee. Om Shanti... https://t.co/1Q2kpUSj3x

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) August 6, 2019

We are saddened to hear about the untimely demise of Smt Sushma Swaraj. Our condolences to her family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/T9wg739c8i

— Congress (@INCIndia) August 6, 2019

Swaraj, as external affairs minister, brought a sense of assertiveness in India's diplomacy and was known for her prompt response on Twitter to address grievances of overseas Indians. Swaraj’s body will be kept at residence in the national capital and will then be taken to the BJP headquarters on Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg. The last rites will be performed at the Lodhi crematorium.