Veteran BJP leader LK Advani accompanied by his daughter Pratibha Advani paid his last respects to the former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj at the late leader’s Delhi residence on Wednesday.
Advani broke down as he met Sushma Swaraj’s husband Swaraj Kaushal and their daughter Bansuri.
Earlier in the day, LK Advani posted a condolence message on Twitter saying he is “deeply distressed at the untimely demise of his closest colleague”.
Recalling his days with Swaraj when he was the BJP President, Advani said she was a “promising young activist”.
“… And over the years, she became one of the most popular and prominent leaders of our party, in fact, a role model for women leaders,” he wrote.
Calling her a “brilliant orator”, Advani further said that he was amazed at her ability to recall incidents and present them with utmost clarity and eloquence.
“Sushmaji was also a fine human being. She touched everyone with her warmth and compassionate nature,” he further said and recalled how she used to bring his favourite chocolate cake on his birthday every year.
“The nation has lost a remarkable leader,” the senior BJP leader concluded as he offered his heartfelt condolences.
Sushma Swaraj Ji Condolence Message – L K Advani
Om Shanti pic.twitter.com/ZHpiN9uthR— Chowkidar Advani (@LKAdvaniBJP_) August 7, 2019
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also visited the residence of former union minister Sushma Swaraj early on Wednesday.
A teary-eyed PM offered his condolences to Swaraj’s husband and daughter and other family members.
#SushmaSwaraj ji Passes away: PM Modi breaks down while paying tribute at her residence. #RIPSushmaSwaraj pic.twitter.com/3ufXu6c98K
— Chowkidar Suresh Chandra Gupta (@kishusia) August 7, 2019
In a series of tweets earlier on Tuesday night, PM Modi had expressed his grief over the untimely demise of one of India’s finest leaders.
Modi remembered Swaraj as an “outstanding Parliamentarian” who was “admired and revered across party lines”.
Meanwhile, President Ram Nath Kovind, Amit Shah, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Sonia Gandhi were among the top personalities to be present at the late leader’s residence.
Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu and members of the House paid tributes to the former EAM.
“In her untimely demise, the nation has lost an able administrator, an effective parliamentarian and a true voice of people,” Naidu said in the House.
Sushma Swaraj passed away late on Tuesday night after suffering a cardiac arrest. She was 67 years old.
Swaraj was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in a critical condition today evening. She was brought to AIIMS at 10:15 pm by her family and was straight away taken to the emergency ward, soon after which she died.
Her mortal remains were taken from AIIMS to her Delhi residence on Tuesday night where they will be kept for people to pay last respects after which they will be brought to the BJP headquarters. At 3 pm she will be taken to Lodhi road crematorium where her last rites will be performed with full state honours.