TN, Puducherry CMs, Bedi condole Swaraj's demise

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami expressed grief on Wednesday over the death of former External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and hailed her contributions to the country. He described Swaraj as "one of the highly-respected women leaders" in the world of politics and said her demise was a "great loss" to the country.

Palaniswami's Puducherry counterpart V Narayansamy, Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory Kiran Bedi, PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss and AMMK founder T T V Dhinakaran also condoled Swaraj's demise. Swaraj, veteran leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), breathed her last at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi on Tuesday night following a massive cardiac arrest. She was 67.

"I was shocked and grieved on hearing about the demise of Sushma Swaraj, who had held various portfolios including that of external affairs," Palaniswami said in a statement here. The former Delhi Chief Minister was "one of the highly respected women leaders in the world of politics", he said, adding that she was an example to the women of the country.

Starting her career as a Supreme Court lawyer, she later entered the world of politics and went on to become the chief minister of Delhi, Palaniswami said. As external affairs minister, Swaraj was quick to address issues concerning Indians abroad, thus earning their love, he said, adding she was also active on social media platforms, where she would respond to people's queries, and in this way, she had earned the goodwill of youngsters.

"She was cordial to leaders of all political hues and her demise is a great loss not just to her family, but the country," the chief minister said. He extended his condolences to Swaraj's family members.

Kiran Bedi and Narayanasamy also condoled Swaraj's demise. In her condolence message, Bedi said "The passing away of Sushma Swaraj is a personal and national loss. She brought warmth and care in her work." Narayanasamy described Swaraj as a "veteran Parliamentarian and powerful speaker".

"It is shocking that a seasoned politician is no more. Her demise is a great loss to the nation," he said, conveying his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

Ramadoss, PMK Rajya Sabha MP, expressed shock and grief over Swaraj's passing away. "She had left her impression in all responsibilities that she assumed... it was when she was the external affairs minister that she made it possible for any Indian to contact her and solved issues," he said in a statement.

Dhinakaran, an independent MLA, hailed Swaraj as a "significant woman leader and great parliamentarian" and said she achieved many political posts at a young age. "She had great respect and love for Puratchi Thalaivi Amma (the late J Jayalalithaa)," he said in a tweet.

Dhinakaran expressed his sympathies with the family of Swaraj, and the BJP..