Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday visited the residence of former union minister Sushma Swaraj and paid his respects. Modi also consoled members of SwarajтАЩs family.
The prime minister will attend her funeral in the evening, PIB said.
President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, BSP leader Mayawati, TMCтАЩs Derek OтАЩBrien and Congress leader Oommen Chandy also arrived at the Swaraj residence to pay tribute.
Leaders cutting across party lines expressed shock at the sudden demise of Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday with Narendra Modi describing her as a remarkable leader who devoted her life to public service and the poor.
Swaraj passed away on Tuesday night suffering a massive cardiac arrest. She was 67.
тАЬA glorious chapter in Indian politics comes to an end. India grieves the demise of a remarkable leader who devoted her life to public service and bettering lives of the poor. Sushma Swaraj ji was one of her kind, who was a source of inspiration for crores of people,тАЭ Modi said in a series of tweets. He hailed her as a тАЬprolific orator and outstanding parliamentarianтАЭ and said she was admired and revered across party lines.
тАЬAn excellent administrator, Sushma Ji set high standards in every ministry she handled. She played a key role in bettering IndiaтАЩs ties with various nations. As a minister we also saw her compassionate side, helping fellow Indians,тАЭ Modi said.
Expressing shock over the demise of Swaraj, President Kovind tweeted:
Vice President Naidu said SwarajтАЩs death was a huge loss to the country and a personal loss to him.
Former president Pranab Mukherjee tweeted:
Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi described Swaraj as an extraordinary political leader, a gifted orator and an exceptional Parliamentarian and said she had friendships across party lines.
Leader of opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said Swaraj was a great human being and will always be remembered.
Former union minister P Chidambaram said:
BJP working president JP Nadda called it a sad event not only the BJP but for the entire country. тАЬShe inspired us, her last tweet tells us how she was involved in serving the nation in an emotional way,тАЭ he said
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said Swaraj despite being a politician, kept human sensibilities paramount. тАЬAs an MP, Sushma ji set new paradigms in the country. She always kept the interests of the country foremost and gave it expression. тАЬI salute Sushma jiтАЩs saintly memory. The shining sun of IndiaтАЩs political horizon has set in the form of Sushma Swaraj,тАЭ he said.
Home Minister Shah said she left an indelible mark on national politics. Describing her as a simple and rare politician, he said she was a strong voice of the BJP when it was in the opposition and left an indelible mark as a minister.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described Swaraj as an extremely valued colleague.
Union minister Nitin Gadkari said her passing away was a personal loss for him, the BJP and the country.
Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said:
BJP leader and former union minister Arun Jaitley said: