She was Chief Minister of Delhi for three consecutive terms – from 1998 to 2013
Shiela Dikshit, often referred to as the architect of modern Delhi, was born on March 31, 1938 in Kapurthala, Punjab. She was Delhi’s chief minister for three consecutive terms – from 1998 to 2013. The congressional veteran was defeated in 2013 by the Aam Aadmi party.
Dikshit was appointed governor of Kerala in 2014. In 2017, she was supposed to be the face of Congress for the Uttar Pradesh polls, but the party forged an alliance with the Samajwadi party and Akhilesh Yadav was cast as the main ministerial candidate in her place. She returned to Delhi politics in 2019 when she was appointed Chair of the Delhi State Congress Committee. She died the same year in July.
On her birthday, the Congress party remembered how she had helped modernize the nation’s capital. Through the official Twitter account, the party declared that Dikshit was the oldest chief minister of all the states and gave him credit for introducing measures such as the Bhagidari system and the BRT system.
The oldest CM of Delhi and the oldest CM of all states, Sheila Dikshit represented India at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. Responsible for the Bhagidari System, BRT System and more, we thank her for her immense contributions.#RememberingSheilaDikshitJi pic.twitter.com/8aL9OG9bvB
– Congress (@INCIndia) March 31, 2021
Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi party leader Arvind Kejriwal remembered her on her birthday, while a battery of congressional leaders paid her rich tributes.
In remembrance of former Delhi CM Smt. Sheila Dikshit ji on the occasion of her birthday.
– Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) March 31, 2021
The leader of the women’s wing of Congress, Sushmita Dev, called her an inspiration for women leaders, while the main party leader, Haroon Yusuf, who held large portfolios in the government led by Dikshit, said she was not only a great administrator, but also a great mentor.
A source of inspiration for women leaders, she has left an indelible mark through her exceptional work in transforming Delhi.
My tribute to Sheila Dikshit ji for her birthday🌸 pic.twitter.com/atQY2KWH5s
– Sushmita Dev (@sushmitadevinc) March 31, 2021
Remembering Sheila Dikshit ji, who was not only a great administrator but also a great mentor to me.
She has always been attached to the development of Delhi.
We will always miss you Sheila ji#RememberingSheilaDikshitJi pic.twitter.com/SefxmSydQJ
– Haroon Yusuf (@ haroonyusuf22) March 31, 2021
Chhattisgarh Health Minister TS Singh Deo wrote that Dikshit was a great leader of the Congress party, whose “contribution to the modernization and development of Delhi is inspiring.” Other leaders who remembered Dikshit on his birthday include Manickam Tagore, Pawan Khera, and Kuljit Nagra.
My humble tributes to the former CM of Delhi, Smt Sheila Dikshit ji on the occasion of her birthday. A great leader of the Congress Party, she became the oldest female CM of all Indian states.
His contribution to the modernization and development of Delhi is a source of inspiration. pic.twitter.com/jmi1sq7SWu
– TS Singh Deo (@TS_SinghDeo) March 31, 2021
Remember #SheilaDikshit ji!
She transformed Deli but … pic.twitter.com/VaN0GOiX9F– Manickam Tagore .B🇮🇳✋ மாணிக்கம் தாகூர்.ப (@manickamtagore) March 31, 2021
I miss your advice #SheilaDikshit pic.twitter.com/6R6wTQyBOy
– Pawan Khera (@Pawankhera) March 31, 2021
Remembering the former Chief Minister of Delhi #SheilaDikshit ji for his birthday.
A phenomenal leader who transformed Delhi into Green Delhi loaded with modern infrastructure, love and above all peace. pic.twitter.com/SPkufagFi7– Kuljit Nagra (@ kuljitnagra1) March 31, 2021
“A person who gave Delhi its modern look”.@SheilaDikshit ji pic.twitter.com/CfmwcbE8dz
– Abhishek Dutt (अभिषेक दत्त) (@duttabhishek) March 31, 2021
