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Published 16:58 IST, July 20th 2019

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal calls Sheila Dikshit's sudden demise a 'huge loss for Delhi', AAP extends heartfelt condolences

Former Chief Minister of Delhi Sheila Dikshit passed away on July 20 due to Cardiac arrest

Reported by: Navashree Nandini
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Soon after the sudden demise of Former Chief Minister of Delhi Sheila Dikshit, CM of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal expressed his condolences. Expressing  his grief, he said that it is a terrible news and that it is a huge loss for the national capital. The Congress leader passed away at the age of 81.  Sheila Dikshit was born 31 March 1938 and was the longest serving Chief Minister of Delhi, serving for a period of 15 years from 1998 to 2013. She breath her last at 03:55 PM.

Dikshit led Congress party to three consecutive electoral victories in Delhi. In the December 2013 elections to the Delhi Legislative Assembly, Dikshit was defeated in New Delhi constituency by Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal, who replaced her as Delhi's chief minister. Subsequently, she was sworn in as Governor of Kerala on 11 March 2014. The Congress party fought the recent Lok Sabha elections in Delhi under her leadership. 

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During the Lok Sabha elections, Kejriwal and Dikshit was involved in a friendly brawl on twiitter. While the former CM claimed that Kejriwal should not spread rumours about her health and invited him for dinner, Kejriwal said that he always prays for her good health.

Delhi's deputy CM Manish Sisodia also extended his condolences. "The sudden demise of former Delhi's CM Sheila Dikshit is unfortunate. May she rest in peace and may her family get the stregth to bear the pain. My heartfelt condolences," he wrote on Twitter. 

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Informing about the cause of her demise, Dr Ashok Seth the director of Escorts Fortis where her treatment was going on said that she suffered a cardiac arrest.  In the Lok Sabha elections, she contested from the North East Delhi constituency against BJP Delhi chief Manoj Tiwari. However she lost the elections.Across party lines, she was respected as an astute leader and one who transfomed Delhi. As reactions comes in, politician from the nation saddened and shocked at her sudden demise. 

 

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13:50 IST, July 20th 2019