Hundreds of people, including political leaders across party lines, thronged Delhi's Lodhi Road crematorium to pay homage to former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj as the illustrious BJP leader was was laid to rest on Wednesday evening.
Bansuri Swaraj, daughter of Swaraj, performed her last rites as her husband Swaraj Kaushal stood beside his daughter.
Her mortal remains were consigned to flames in the electric crematorium, amid sounding of the ceremonial bugle and strains of vedic mantras in the background.
Delhi: Bansuri Swaraj, daughter of former External Affairs Minister #SushmaSwaraj, performs her last rites pic.twitter.com/ymj82SjG1i
— ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2019
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress leader Anand Sharma and former Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay were present as the popular leader was cremated with full state honours.
The last journey of Swaraj began at 3 pm from the BJP headquarters, where her body was kept in state. Many jostled for a last glimpse as the casket with her mortal remains, wrapped in the tricolour, was put in the hearse in preparation for her final journey.
Swaraj, who was the chief minister of Delhi from October-December 1998, passed away at AIIMS after suffering a cardiac arrest on Tuesday night. She was 67.
One of the most prolific politicians of India, Swaraj's sudden demise triggered a wave of shock and grief with leaders cutting across political spectrum paying glowing tributes to the astute leader.
Swaraj had brought a rare empathy and a human approach to India's diplomacy.
