‘Shocked’, says Nepal PM on Sushma Swaraj’s passing away, pays tribute

Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Wednesday condoled the demise of former Union minister Sushma Swaraj. Swaraj passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi on Tuesday night after suffering a cardiac arrest. The senior BJP leader was 67.

“Deeply shocked to learn of the passing away of Sushma Swaraj, a senior political leader of India and former External Affairs Minister. Heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies to the Government and people of India as well as to the bereaved family members,” news agency ANI quoted him as saying.

The body of former Swaraj will be kept for three hours at the BJP headquarters on Wednesday for party workers and leaders to pay tributes, BJP working president J P Nadda said. Her last rites will be performed at the Lodhi crematorium.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi while paying tributes said a glorious chapter in Indian politics had come to an end. "A glorious chapter in Indian politics comes to an end. India grieves the demise of a remarkable leader who devoted her life to public service and bettering lives of the poor. Sushma Swaraj Ji was one of her kind, who was a source of inspiration for crores of people," he tweeted.

In a series of tweets, PM Modi remembered Sushma Swaraj as a prolific orator and outstanding Parliamentarian. “She was admired and revered across party lines.  She was uncompromising when it came to matters of ideology and interests of the BJP, whose growth she immensely contributed to,” he tweeted.

“An excellent administrator, Sushma Ji 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 further added.

“I can’t forget the manner in which Sushma Ji worked tirelessly as EAM in the last 5 years. 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,” PM Modi tweeted.