Sheila Dikshit passes away at 81 Highlights - Delhi Govt declares two-day mourning, Dikshit to be accorded state funeral
Sheila Dikshit, three-time Delhi chief minister and a veteran Congress leader, breathed her last in a city hospital late on Saturday afternoon. As news of her death spread, tributes started pouring in for the senior leader, with a “devastated” Rahul Gandhi hailing Dikshit as a “beloved daughter of the Congress party”. Delhi deputy CM Manish Sisodia announced that the government will observe a two-day state mourning in memory of the Congress leader. Leaders, cutting across party lines, made a beeline outside the late leader’s house to pay their last respects. Read highlights here:
8:57 PM IST

‘Lost an administrator and a fine leader, knew her before she joined politics’: Former President Pranab Mukherjee on Sheila Dikshit
Former President Pranab Mukherjee says, it is a great loss for the nation.
Former President Pranab Mukherjee: I knew her (Sheila Diskhit) even before she entered politics, it's a great loss to the nation, they have lost an able administrator and a fine leader. pic.twitter.com/y1d4zS11wU
— ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2019
8:25 PM IST
‘Country will remember her contribution towards the transformation of Delhi’: Manmohan Singh
‘It is great loss for the country & Congress party. Delhi has lost an outstanding leader & administrator who transformed the state beyond recognition. Country will remember her contribution towards the transformation of Delhi for a long time,’ says former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Delhi: Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh lays wreath & pays respects to former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit at the latter's residence in Nizamuddin. Dikshit, 81, passed away due to cardiac arrest, earlier today. pic.twitter.com/N1Vra29yUc
— ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2019
8:21 PM IST
Actress Sharmila Tagore pays respects to former Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit
The actress has reached Nizamuddin to pay her tribute
Delhi: Actress Sharmila Tagore pays respects to former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit at the latter's residence in Nizamuddin. Dikshit, 81, passed away due to cardiac arrest, earlier today. pic.twitter.com/zCMGrfOBAK
— ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2019
8:11 PM IST
Former President Pranab Mukherjee reaches Sheila Dikshit’s residence
Former President of India and veteran Congress Mukherjee arrives at Sheila Dikshit’s residence to pay his tributes to his former colleague
Delhi: Former President Pranab Mukherjee pays tribute to former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, who passed away today, due to cardiac arrest. pic.twitter.com/DGwf4KCgbF
— ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2019
8:09 PM IST
‘Her political life was spotless’: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sheila Dikshit
The Union Minister called the former Delhi CM ‘among the most seasoned politician of our nation.’
8:02 PM IST
Defence minister Rajnath Singh pays tribute to Sheila Dikshit
The Union Minister has reached the residence of Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit
Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh pays tribute to former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, who passed away today, due to cardiac arrest. pic.twitter.com/CcfGLpZpts
— ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2019
7:50 PM IST
Delhi Government to observe two-day mourning to pay tribute to Sheila Dikshit
Manish Sisodia spoke to the media after visiting Sheila Dikshit. He said, ‘Delhi govt has decided to observe a two-day state mourning as a mark of respect in the memory of former Chief Minister and veteran leader Sheila Dikshit ji. She will be accorded a state funeral.’
7:49 PM IST
Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma pays tribute to Sheila Dikshit
The BJP MLA also said, that her death brings a sudden calmness in the turbulent world of politics.
7:47 PM IST
‘Whenever, people will talk of a developed & growing Delhi, Sheila ji’s name will be remembered’, says Sandeep Dikshit, Sheila Dikshit’s son
The three-time Delhi CM’s son speaks to the media.
Sandeep Dikshit, son of former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit: My mother passed away, it's natural that I'll miss her. The pain of losing a mother cannot be erased. Whenever, people will talk of a developed & growing Delhi, Sheila ji's name will be remembered. pic.twitter.com/hEl9DJiDne
— ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2019
7:40 PM IST
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal reaches Sheila Dikshit’s residence
Accompanied by deputy CM Manish Sisodia, they pay their tributes to former three-time Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal & Deputy CM Manish Sisodia pay tribute to Sheila Dikshit, who passed away today, due to cardiac arrest. pic.twitter.com/4Pu5DHQR7r
— ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2019
7:39 PM IST
BJP Delhi Chief Manoj Tiwari reaches Sheila Dikshit’s residence
The BJP MP pays his tribute to the former Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit.
BJP MP & BJP Delhi President, Manoj Tiwari pays tribute to former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit who passed away today, due to a cardiac arrest. pic.twitter.com/Tg0affJdMx
— ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2019
7:30 PM IST
‘Sheila Dikshit was a motherly figure’: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla
‘Sheila Dikshit’s contribution was immense to Delhi’, says the Lok Sabha speaker while speaking to the media.
7:18 PM IST
Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays tribute to former CM Sheila Dikshit
PM Modi has reached the residence of three-time Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit.
#WATCH Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays tribute to former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit who passed away today, due to a cardiac arrest. pic.twitter.com/YV1YpychEh
— ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2019
7:13 PM IST
Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla pays tribute to Sheila Dikshit
Speaker Om Birla reaches the residence of Sheila Dikshit and meets her family members and pays tribute to the three-time Delhi CM
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla pays tribute to former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, who passed away today, in Delhi due to cardiac arrest. pic.twitter.com/skHDEKdh7I
— ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2019
6:53 PM IST
Congress Leader Jyotiraditya Scindia reaches Sheila Dikshit’s residence
The Congress leader pays tribute to the three-time Delhi CM.
6:52 PM IST
Sonia Gandhi reaches Sheila Dikshit’s residence
UPA chairperson pays tribute to the former Delhi Chief Minister
Delhi: UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi pays tribute to former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. pic.twitter.com/FxKxCCT48J
— ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2019
6:32 PM IST
BJP MP Gautam Gambhir calls Dikshit - ‘a fierce champion of the people’
The former cricketer expressed his grief at Sheila Dikshit’s death. He said, ‘ A huge loss for the capital. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends’
6:21 PM IST
BJP Leader Vijay Goel reaches Dikshit’s residence
The senior BJP leader pays tribute to three three-time former Delhi CM.
Delhi: BJP leader Vijay Goel pays tribute to Former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit at her residence in Nizamuddin. #SheilaDikshit pic.twitter.com/aOJAJEKehY
— ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2019
6:02 pm IST
Former CM Sheila Dikshit’s last rites to be held at Nigambodh Ghat
Her mortal remains will be kept at her residence in Nizammuddin for people to pay their tributes.
5:58 pm IST
‘Sheila Dikshit personified Delhi’s aspirations’: P Chidambaram
“In the passing away of Sheila Dikshit ji, the Grand Old Lady of Delhi, the nation, Delhi and the Congress party have suffered an irreparable loss
For nearly two decades, Sheilaji personified Delhi and the aspirations of its citizens. She served them with her heart and mind and they gave her their abundant love
Every resident of Delhi will feel that he or she has today lost a member of his or her family
May Sheilaji’s soul rest in peace,” senior Congress leader P Chidambaram tweeted.
5:50 pm IST
Delhi govt to declare 2-day state mourning
“Delhi government has decided to declare 2-day state mourning over the demise of former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit,” said Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia as quoted by news agency ANI.
5:40 pm IST
Sheila Dikshit, the longest serving chief minister
Former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit was the longest serving chief minister. She died today at a private hospital in Delhi, where was admitted for a heart ailment.
For three consecutive terms, from 1998 to 2013, senior Congress leader served as the chief minister of Delhi.
5:35 pm IST
‘We will all miss her’: Mamata Banerjee
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee condoled the death of former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit.
“Deeply saddened at the passing of Sheila Dikshit Ji. When I became MP, she was the Parliamentary Affairs Minister. She always maintained good relations with me. We will all really miss her,” she tweeted.
5:30 pm IST
Mortal remains of Sheila Dikshit brought to her Delhi home
Mortal remains of former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit have been brought to her residence in Nizamuddin.

5:20 pm IST
Nirmala Sitharaman condoles Sheila Dikshit’s death
“Sorry to know that former Chief Minister of Delhi Smt. #SheilaDikshit is no more. Condolences to her family, friends and followers,” tweeted finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
5:15 pm IST
Sheila Dikshit’s mortal remains to be taken to Cong headquarters tomorrow: Ahmed Patel
“The mortal remains of former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit will be taken to her home in about one hour or so. It will then be decided at what time tomorrow morning they’ll be taken to the Congress headquarters, and will then proceed to Nigam Bodh Ghat for cremation”, said Congress leader Ahmed Patel as quoted by news agency ANI.
5:07 pm IST
Her contribution towards to Delhi is immense: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra
“Deeply saddened by the demise of Sheila Dikshit Ji. She loved me, whatever she did for Delhi and the country, people will remember it. She was a big leader of party, her contribution towards party, politics of nation especially to Delhi, is immense,” news agency ANI quoted Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as saying.
5:06 PM IST
Deputy CM of Rajasthan Sachin Pilot expressed his grief at Sheila Dikshit’s death
Pilot tweeted that Sheila Dikshit worked tirelessly towards building Delhi into a world class city.
Saddened to hear that Smt Sheila Dikshit has passed away, a true congressperson she worked tirelessly building Delhi into a world class city, yet her heart was always set on working for the people, a loss for India, my condolences to the family & prayers for the departed soul pic.twitter.com/FCugKnMAvN
— Sachin Pilot (@SachinPilot) July 20, 2019
5:05 pm IST
‘She welcomed me like a mother’: Manoj Tiwari
“I had met her recently, it is a big shock. I remember how she welcomed me like a mother. Delhi will miss her. May God give her family and her closed ones the strength to bear this loss,” said BJP MP and BJP Delhi president Manoj Tiwari as quoted by news agency ANI.
5:00 pm IST
Sheila Dikshit’s term period of momentous transformation of Delhi: President
“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. Condolences to her family and associates,” President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted.
4:52 pm IST
‘Warm and affable personality’: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit.
“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. Condolences to her family and supporters. Om Shanti.” the Prime Minister tweeted.
4:50 pm IST
‘Huge loss for Delhi’: Arvind Kejriwal
“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,” tweets Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.
4:43 pm IST
‘Devastated to hear about passing away of Sheila Dikshit: Rahul
”I’m devastated to hear about passing away of Sheila Dikshit Ji, beloved daughter of Congress Party,with whom I shared a close personal bond. My condolences to her family&citizens of Delhi, whom she served selflessly as a 3 term CM,in this time of great grief”, tweeted Rahul Gandhi.
4:44 PM IST
Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Anil Baijal called Sheila Dikshit a visionary leader
Anil Baijal also tweeted his tribute saying that the former three-time CM was an able administrator.
4:40 pm IST
‘Country has lost a dedicated Cong Leader’: EX-PM Manmohan Singh
“I am shocked to hear the sudden passing away of Smt Shiela Dixit. In her death the country has lost a dedicated Congress Leader of the masses. People of Delhi will always remember her contribution to the development during her tenure as Chief Minister of Delhi,” said former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh.
4:30 pm IST
Sheila Dikshit dies at 81
Former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit died at a private hospital in Delhi today. She was 81.

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