BJP Senior Leader Sushma Swaraj died on Tuesday night at AIIMS after suffering a cardiac attack. She served as external affairs minister in the first Narendra Modi government. She opted out of contesting the Lok Sabha elections held a few months ago citing health reasons. A diabetic, Swaraj had undergone a kidney transplant in December 2016.
Though Swaraj’s father was associated with the RSS, she began her political career with the Janata Party. She joined the BJP later and rose within the ranks to become one of its most prominent women leaders.
Swaraj was information and broadcasting minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government and one of the commendable performances was her deft handling of the media during the India-Pakistan Agra summit in 2001 which ended on a sour note.
Known for her oratorical skills, Swaraj was the archetypal face of the Indian woman. She took up women’s issues within the BJP as well as on public platform. BJP’s decision in 2008 to have 33% reservation for women among the office-bearers was due to her efforts.
Here are few other great achievements of Sushma Swaraj:
1. Youngest Cabinet Minister at 25 years of age.
2. Made Indian film industry eligible for bank finance.
3. Set up 6 AIIMS.
4. Raised Balochistan issue in UN.
5. Act East Policy.
6. Resolved Doklam.
7. Rescued 90,000 distressed Indians.