Feel her loss greatly: Sonia writes to Swaraj's family
New Delhi, Aug 07: Congress leader Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday described former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj as a superb orator, great parliamentarian and a lady of "extraordinary gifts".
In her condolence letter to Swaraj's husband, Swaraj Kaushal, Gandhi said she shared a warm personal relationship with the senior BJP leader after being together as colleagues in the Lok Sabha for many years.
"I am shocked and deeply saddened at the sudden passing away of your beloved wife Smt Sushma Swaraj," the Congress parliamentary party leader said. "Sushma Swaraj was a lady of extraordinary gifts, her courage, determination, dedication and ability manifest in every position she held."
From IIT to LeT: Top quotes by Sushma Swaraj
"Above all, it was her warm personal qualities that brought a special lustre to her years in public and political life," the United Progressive Alliance chairperson added.
Swaraj had contested against Gandhi in 1999 from the Ballari Lok Sabha constituency in Karnataka, but lost by over 50,000 votes in the electoral fight that attracted nationwide attention.
"Sushma ji was a superb orator, a great parliamentarian and had a rare gift for friendship that won her affection and admiration across the political spectrum," Gandhi said. "In our many years together as colleagues in the Lok Sabha, we developed a warm personal relationship and I feel her loss greatly."
The
Congress
leader
said
Swaraj
made
herself
accessible
to
even
the
humblest
person
and
established
a
warm
rapport
with
people
from
all
walks
of
life.
With
her
empathy
and
compassion,
she
gave
Indian
diplomacy
a
human
face
as
she
reached
out
to
help
every
Indian
citizen
in
distress,
Gandhi
said.
"The
same
courage
and
grit
that
was
a
hallmark
of
Sushma-ji's
political
life,
she
showed
in
her
personal
life
as
well,
as
she
faced
her
serious
ailments
with
incredible
fortitude,"
she
said.
Swaraj passed away on Tuesday night in Delhi after suffering a massive cardiac arrest. She was 67.
The Congress leader said Swaraj left "far too young" as she had so much more to contribute to national life. "That makes her death even more tragic," she said.
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Expressing grief to her husband and daughter Bansuri, the UPA chairperson termed it a "cruel loss" for them.
"You must draw solace from the fact that Sushma-ji lived a life of honour, filled with achievement and contributions to the country she loved; respected and admired by all Indians," Gandhi said.
"And she went as she had lived - active and engaged till the very end.