New Delhi: The cremation of former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit Sunday brought together a host of leaders cutting across fractious party lines, in perhaps the largest Congress funeral since the assassination of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991.
Apart from Congress workers who thronged the cremation ground in North Delhi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his cabinet colleague Manish Sisodia, the BJP’s Delhi unit chief Manoj Tiwari attended the solemn event alongside former Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi, party general secretary in-charge Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and senior leader Ghulam Nabi Azad.
Despite the chaos, the crowd persisted for hours as Buddhist monks chanted to bring her peace. The pouring rain carried petals of rose and jasmine through the cremation ground, but there was just one chorus that resonated around Nigambodh Ghat — “Sheila Dikshit amar rahe” (May Sheila Dikshit live forever).
Also read: The life and times of Sheila Dikshit, in her own words
Dikshit, a three-term Delhi chief minister, passed away Saturday at the age of 81 due to prolonged heart problems.
Praise from all corners
It is not just Congress leaders who paid homage to Dikshit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited her residence Saturday to offer his condolences as did senior bureaucrats who worked with her during her tenures as CM.
Dikshit’s mortal remains were first taken to the Congress headquarters at Akbar Road where former PM Manmohan Singh, senior Congress leaders A.K. Antony, Motilal Vohra and Ahmed Patel laid wreaths. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath were also present, as was the AAP leader Gopal Rai.
As Dikshit’s mortal remains made their way to the cremation ground, the crowd went into a frenzy. Unfazed by the first drops of rain, senior leaders began to pay their final respects. As the rain picked up pace, so did the formal gun salute — the state funeral accorded to the former CM.
An umbrella found its way to Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who stood behind Dikshit’s body. For Azad, however, the rain was no bother.
Dikshit’s developmental reforms in the national capital won praise from BJP and Congress leaders alike. “She worked tirelessly for the development of the metro and flyovers in Delhi,” a BJP leader told ThePrint as the crowd chanted immortalising her in their memories.
Also read: Sheila Dikshit always loved a challenge — even when Delhi’s young voters replaced her with AAP
Congress leaders fondly recalled her amicable demeanour. “Look, even today, she has provided us relief in the form of rain,” one of them said.
To have expected Rahul Gandhi to conduct sensibly, Culturally, Socially, with responsibility is inconceivable
Salaam to a great and noble soul
The Chinese have a saying : Never say a man is happy till he has died. In her passing, CM Sheila Dixit has reminded us what she was made of. Left an indelible mark on the city of Delhi.