A condolence meeting was organised in the memory of departed BJP leader and former Union Minister Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi this evening.

She passed away last week at AIIMS following cardiac arrest. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP President and Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and leaders of Opposition parties including Anand Sharma from Congress were among those who attended the prayer meet.

Cutting across party lines, leaders paid homage to the departed leader and also shared their memories about their association with her.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Sushma Swaraj has wholeheartedly dedicated to her work and a huge inspiration to BJP party workers. He said, she never said no to any challenge and was very firm in her approach. He added that in any ministerial duty she held, Sushma Swaraj brought about a marked change in the work culture there.

Mr Modi said, the External Affairs Ministry is associated with protocol but she went a step ahead and answered the people’s call, making the Ministry people-friendly.

Mr Modi said the departed leader had a multi-faceted personality and BJP workers have seen very closely what a great personality she was. He added that speeches of Sushma Swaraj were both effective and inspirational. The Prime Minister said Krishna Bhakti was integral to her and she would always abide by the ideals and teachings of Shri Krishna.

Union Minister Amit Shah said that Sushma Swaraj had great oratorial skills. He said she had no personal enmity with anyone. Mr Shah said her greatest achievement was making the External Affairs Ministry more accessible for the common people.