India: BJP leader Sushma Swaraj passes away at 67

Former Indian foreign minister and senior leader of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) Sushma Swaraj passed away at the age of 67.

She had been admitted to a hospital due to heart attack.

Sushma Ji was said to be in a critical condition before the news of her death surfaced on media.

Her family members and BJP leaders Dr. Harshvardhan and Nitin Gadkari had been present at the hospital at the time of her death.

Sushma Swaraj was India’s Minister for External Affairs during the last government of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

She did not contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and chose to sit out of the government this year on account of her health.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed her demise “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.

Indian National Congress also tweeted a message of condolence. “We are saddened to hear about the untimely demise of Sushma Swaraj.”

“Our condolences to her family and loved ones,” the tweet stated.

Reactions and condolences have started to pour in from leaders across party lines and her fans on social media.

President Ram Nath Kovind said he was shocked to hear the news.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that this is the end of a glorious chapter in Indian politics.

BJP leader and Union minister Smriti Irani wrote an emotional message on Twitter recalling her relation with Sushma Ji.

Earlier in the day, Sushma Swaraj greeted Rajya Sabha members who voted in favor of the government’s resolution to scrap Article 370 of the Constitution.