Sushma Swaraj, former foreign minister and BJP veteran, who died last following a cardiac arrest was cremated on Wednesday with state honours in the presence of top leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP patriarch LK Advani among others. Her body was kept at the BJP headquarters for party workers and leaders to pay tributes and then moved to the Lodhi Crematorium for cremation. Swaraj’s daughter Bansuri Swaraj and husband Swaraj Kaushal saluted her as she was laid to rest with full state honours.
Political leaders across party lines as well as people on social media expressed shock and grief at her sudden death. President Ram Nath Kovind, defence minister Rajnath Singh and Vice President Venkaiah Naidu also paid tributes. Sonia Gandhi was seen hugging Swaraj's daughter Bansuri. Her son Rahul Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh too visited Swaraj's home. Opposition leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ashok Gehlot and Anand Sharma also paid their last respects. Among other VIPs who visited Swaraj's home was former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and BSP chief Mayawati, former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, BJP lawmaker Hema Malini and yoga guru Ramdev.
