A BJP Stalwart With Socialist Roots

Hours before fatal heart attack, she had expressed happiness at removal of special status for J&K.

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Former Union Minister Sushma Swaraj passed away here on Tuesday after suffering cardiac arrest. She was rushed to the All­-India Institute of Medical Sciences, and cardio­pulmonary resuscitation was administered but doctors were unable to revive her, hospital officials said. She was declared dead at 10.50 p.m.

Just a couple of hours earlier, she had expressed happiness at the removal of special status for Jammu & Kashmir, thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making it possible “in her lifetime” to see the event.

Long career

Ms. Swaraj, 67, had a long career in politics. She was known for her skilled oratory and was, at 25 years, the youngest­ever Cabinet Minister in the Haryana government led by the late Devi Lal. A lawyer by training, she was part of the legal team put together by the Opposition when socialist leader George Fernandes was arrested during the Emergency. Since she and Swaraj Kaushal, who was also involved with the Socialists, were part of the legal team and had to travel to Mumbai together, their law professor and later Chief Justice of India A.S. Anand suggested that they get married, a story later recounted by her with much relish.