The government of India on Wednesday declared two-day mourning in Delhi, the national capital, as a mark of respect for senior BJP leader and former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who passed away on Tuesday. 

Sushma Swaraj passed away at the age of 67 at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, after she suffered a heart attack on Tuesday night. 

The senior BJP leader was admitted to the hospital around 10.15 PM, from where she was taken to the emergency ward. 

The body will be cremated with full state honours at Lodhi Road Electric Crematorium in Delhi around 3 PM today. 

Earlier, the body of former Union minister Sushma Swaraj will be kept for three hours at the BJP headquarters on Wednesday for people to pay tributes, BJP working President JP Nadda said. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the charismatic leader's death. In a series of tweets, PM Modi said Swaraj's demise was a "personal loss" for him. 

"She will be remembered fondly for everything that she's done for India. My thoughts are with her family, supporters and admirers in this very unfortunate hour," he said.

Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has condoled the demise of former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, describing her as a great parliamentarian and an exceptionally talented minister. 

"I was shocked to hear about the sudden demise of Smt Sushma Swaraj. I have fond memories of my association with her when she was Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. She was a leader of high esteem who was highly respected by everybody irrespective of party-lines. She was a great Parliamentarian and exceptionally talented Minister of the Union Government. We have lost a respected and dedicated leader," Manmohan Singh said in his condolence message.

Source: Business Today

BDST: 1252 HRS, AUG 7, 2019
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