India mourns the 'sudden' demise of Sushma Swaraj

Condoling her death, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said a glorious chapter in Indian politics comes to an end.

"A glorious chapter in Indian politics comes to an end. India grieves the demise of a remarkable leader who devoted her life to public service and bettering lives of the poor. Sushma Swaraj Ji was one of her kind, who was a source of inspiration for crores of people," Modi tweeted.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed profound grief on her sudden death.

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, while expressing shock over the "huge loss", posted: "Deeply shocked by the sudden demise of Smt. Sushma Swaraj. Her death is a huge loss to the country & personal loss to me. She was an excellent administrator, outstanding Parliamentarian & a remarkable orator. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved family members. #sushma."

Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi said he is shocked by the sudden demise of Swaraj, who according to him was an extraordinary political leader, a gifted orator and an exceptional Parliamentarian.

"I’m shocked to hear about the demise of Sushma Swaraj Ji, an extraordinary political leader, a gifted orator & an exceptional Parliamentarian, with friendships across party lines.  My condolences to her family in this hour of grief. May her soul rest in peace. Om Shanti 🙏," Gandhi tweeted.

The Congress party also mourned her death and tweeted: " We are saddened to hear about the untimely demise of Smt Sushma Swaraj. Our condolences to her family and loved ones. "

Expressing her shock, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted: "Deeply saddened, shocked at the sudden passing away of Sushma Swaraj Ji.I knew her since the 1990s. Even though our ideologies differed, we shared many cordial times in Parliament. An outstanding politician, leader, good human being.Will miss her.Condolences to her family/admirers."

According to reports, Swaraj died due to a massive heart attack on late Tuesday evening. She was 67.

Her mortall remains have been taken home and the last rites will take place after 3PM on Wedesday.

Following the attack, she was admitted to AIIMS.

Sushma Swaraj had served as the External Affairs Minister of the nation in the first term of PM Narendra Modi and his government.

In her last tweet earlier in the day, Sushma had congratulated the Prime Minister for move to revoke Article 370.

"@narendramodi
ji - Thank you Prime Minister. Thank you very much. I was waiting to see this day in my lifetime," she tweeted.

Sushma Swaraj did not contest the Lok Sabha polls this time.

S Jaishankar stepped into her shoes to serve as the External Affairs Minister of the country.

A senior leader of Bharatiya Janata Party, Swaraj was the second woman to hold the office Ministry of External Affairs, after Indira Gandhi.

She was elected seven times as a Member of Parliament and three times as a Member of the Legislative Assembly.

At the age of 25 in 1977, she became the youngest cabinet minister of Indian state of Haryana. She also served as 5th Chief Minister of Delhi from 13 October 1998 to 3 December 1998