Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind and other political leaders offered condolences following the death of three-time Delhi chief minister and senior Congress leader Sheila Dikshit.

Dikshit passed away at a hospital in Delhi on Saturday after suffering from cardiac arrest. She was 81 years old.

On Friday, she was admitted to Fortis Escorts Heart Institute in a critical state. According to reports, the Congress leader had cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) and had to be immediately put on ventilator.

The Congress party was the first to tweet condolences.

“We regret to hear of the passing of Sheila Dikshit. Lifelong congresswoman and as three time CM of Delhi she transformed the face of Delhi. Our condolences to her family and friends. Hope they find strength in this time of grief.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sadness over the demise of the Congress leader saying she made a “noteworthy contribution to Delhi’s development”.

“Deeply saddened by the demise of Sheila Dikshit Ji. Blessed with a warm and affable personality, she made a noteworthy contribution to Delhi’s development. Condolences to her family and supporters. Om Shanti,” PM Modi tweeted.

Deeply saddened by the demise of Sheila Dikshit Ji. Blessed with a warm and affable personality, she made a noteworthy contribution to Delhi’s development. Condolences to her family and supporters. Om Shanti. pic.twitter.com/jERrvJlQ4X

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 20, 2019

President Ram Nath Kovind also offered condolences the family and associates of Dikshit.

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi said he was “devastated” at the news of the passing away of the party’s “beloved daughter”.

“I’m devastated to hear about passing away of Shiela Dikshit Ji, beloved daughter of Congress Party,with whom I shared a close personal bond. My condolences to her family&citizens of Delhi, whom she served selflessly as a 3 term CM,in this time of great grief. (sic)”

I’m devastated to hear about the passing away of Sheila Dikshit Ji, a beloved daughter of the Congress Party, with whom I shared a close personal bond.

My condolences to her family & the citizens of Delhi, whom she served selflessly as a 3 term CM, in this time of great grief.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 20, 2019

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said she was deeply saddened by the demise of the Congress leader. “She loved me; whatever she did for Delhi and the country, people will remember it. She was a big leader of the party and her contribution towards the party, politics and especially to Delhi, is immense,” she said.

She also tweeted condolences.

Sheilaji will always be remembered for her years of exemplary governance and immense contribution to the development of Delhi. I will miss her wise counsel, her sweet smile and the warmth with which she would hug me whenever we met.

— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) July 20, 2019

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted that her demise was a huge loss for Delhi and that her contribution will always be remembered.

Just now got to know about the extremely terrible news about the passing away of Mrs Sheila Dikshit ji. It is a huge loss for Delhi and her contribution will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to her family members. May her soul rest in peace

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 20, 2019

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed grief and said that the country had lost a dedicated Congress leader of the masses.

“I am sorry to know about the sudden demise of Sheila Dixit ji. We were opponents in politics but friends in personal life. She was a fine human being,” tweeted former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj.

Former president Pranab Mukherjee said he was saddened and shocked at the passing away of Dikshit.

I am saddened and shocked at the passing away of Smt Sheila Dikshit. A former Union Minister, 3 time CM and Governor, in her death I have lost a long time friend and colleague. My thoughts are with her aggrieved family and friends. pic.twitter.com/ol2QtoddFy

— Pranab Mukherjee (@CitiznMukherjee) July 20, 2019

BJP MP and Delhi party President, Manoj Tiwari also offered his condolences to the departed soul.

Although marred by health issues, Sheila Dikshit has been a prominent face in politics until her death.

81-year-old Dikshit has been the chief minister of Delhi three times and lost to Arvind Kejriwal in 2013 in an unprecedented election.

She was appointed the President of the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee in January this year after the incumbent Ajay Maken stepped down citing health issues.

Despite being an octogenarian, Dikshit led the party in Lok Sabha polls and herself contested against Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari from the North East Delhi seat.