Sushma Swaraj Passes away: Smriti Irani mourns her demise, reveals last unfulfilled promise

Former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj passed away at the age of 67 on late Tuesday night in New Delhi. Shortly after the sad news of her demise, Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani took to Twitter and in grief shared a message for not only one of the most prominent leaders of the country, but also her colleague and close friend.

Calling her "Didi", Irani wrote to Twitter that she has an "axe to grind" with her. Revealing her last unfulfilled wish, Smriti Irani further added that the former EAM has left without fulfilling the promise of a celebratory lunch with her along with Bansuri. (Sushma Swaraj's daughter).

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PM Modi expresses condolences

PM Narendra Modi took to Twitter and expressed his sadness over her demise. In a series of tweets, he spoke of her highly marking the event of her death as 'an end of a glorious chapter in politics'. Calling her a prolific orator and outstanding Parliamentarian, he said the nation will grieve her death as she was an inspiration to all. He said that she was 'excellent administrator', and 'set high standards in every Ministry she handled'.

Former EAM Sushma Swaraj's biography

Sushma Swaraj, before joining politics, practised law as an advocate at the Supreme Court of India in 1973, following which she joined the ABVP. Later, she went on to participate in Jayprakash Narayan's movement during the Emergency, after which she joined the newly founded BJP. In her path-breaking political career, Swaraj served as the Chief Minister of Delhi, and then, in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government, as a union minister in multiple ministries. In the first Modi government, she was appointed as the External Affairs Minister - a portfolio she redefined owing to her hands-on approach wherein she would often respond to citizens'queries on Twitter. She declined to contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

READ | Sushma Swaraj Passes Away: PM Narendra Modi Mourns Personal Loss, Calls It 'end Of A Glorious Chapter In Politics'