Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma have condoled the demise of former external affairs minister and senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj, hailing her as “one of India’s tallest leaders and an epitome of integrity”.
The state Bharatiya Janata Party has cancelled all scheduled programmes for the day as a mark of respect to Swaraj.
The chief minister said Swaraj’s legacy would continue to inspire leaders like him.
“Deeply saddened at the untimely demise of Sushma Swaraj ji, former External Affairs Minister & one of India’s most beloved & tallest leaders,” Sonowal tweeted on Tuesday. “I offer my heartfelt condolences to her family & friends. Her great legacy will continue to inspire us.”
Deeply saddened at the untimely demise of Sushma Swaraj ji, former External Affairs Minister & one of India’s most beloved & tallest leaders.
I offer my heartfelt condolences to her family & friends. Her great legacy will continue to inspire us. #SushmaSwaraj pic.twitter.com/sc7LAzB0bY
— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) August 6, 2019
Sarma described her as a kind-hearted politician who was known for her commitment towards work.
“A light has just, shockingly, gone out of our lives. Deeply pained at demise of our beloved leader Smt Sushma Swaraj ji. A kind-hearted and towering politician with an incredible career, her loss is shocking,” the finance minister posted on Twitter.
A light has just, shockingly, gone out of our lives.
Deeply pained at demise of our beloved leader Smt Sushma Swaraj ji.
A kind-hearted and towering politician with an incredible career, her loss is shocking. I feel a terrible vacuum today.#SushmaSwaraj pic.twitter.com/AowdaAadkz
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) August 6, 2019
“I feel a terrible vacuum today. An epitome of integrity, efficiency and enormous commitment to work, #SushmaSwaraj ji was an extremely pious soul,” he added.
Swaraj, who brought a rare empathy and a human approach to India’s diplomacy, passed away on Tuesday night suffering a massive cardiac arrest. She was 67.
“What a coincidence she wrote this evening she was waiting for the historic day to see abrogation of #Article370, and breathed her last after history was created,” Sarma said.
The state BJP issued a statement on Tuesday night to announce that it had suspended all its programmes for the day.
“On sudden demise of our beloved stalwart Leader Smt. Sushma Swaraji, we offer our heartfelt tribute to her and extend our condolences to her bereaved families,” the party said.
A condolence meeting will be held on Wednesday in the BJP state headquarters office at Hengrabari here, the release said.
BJP state president Ranjit Dass said the party would observe a day of mourning at its offices across Assam. (PTI)
