Two-day state mourning in Delhi over Congress veteran Sheila Dikshit's demise

NEW DELHI: The Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government on Saturday declared a two-day state mourning as a mark of respect to former chief minister Sheila Dikshit, who died on Saturday following a cardiac arrest. She was 81.

The announcement was made by Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia who said, "Delhi government has decided to declare two-day state mourning over the demise of former Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit."

दिल्ली की पूर्व मुख्यमंत्री श्रीमती शीला दीक्षित जी के निधन की खबर बहुत दुःखद है| भगवान उनकी आत्मा को शान्ति प्रदान करे, और परिवार को ये क्षति सहने की शक्ति दे..भावपूर्ण श्रद्धांजलि.

— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) July 20, 2019

Condoling the death of senior Congress leader, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted, "Just now got to know about extremely terrible news about the passing away of Sheila Dikshit Ji. It's 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."

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

Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) media secretary Naresh Kumar informed that her cremation will be held at Nigam Bodh Ghat at 2.30 PM on July 21.

Her mortal remains will be kept for the people to pay their homage at her residence in New Delhi from 6 PM today (Saturday), July 20 to 11.30 AM on Sunday, July 21," Kumar said.

The former Delhi Chief Minister was suffering from heart ailments and had undergone surgeries several times. She was brought to the Fortis Escorts Heart Institute around 10.30 AM after she suffered a cardiac arrest.

A multi-disciplinary team of doctors, led by Ashok Seth, chairman of the institute, carried out advanced resuscitative measures. 

"Her condition stabilised temporarily. But she had another cardiac arrest and despite all the efforts, she died at 3.55 PM," read the statement issued by the hospital. 

President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal were among top political leaders who condoled her death.

Describing her as a "beloved daughter of Congress party," Rahul Gandhi said that he was devastated by her demise.

Dikshit, 81, was also the longest-serving Chief Minister of Delhi, having served in office for 15 years from 1998. 

She was appointed Delhi Congress Committee earlier this year ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha polls. 

She contested from North East Delhi but lost to BJP's Manoj Tiwari by a margin of over 3 lakhs.