Former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit breathed her last at a private hospital in Delhi on June 20 (Saturday). The 81-year-old, who was Delhi’s longest-serving Chief Minister and had been in office for 15 years since 1998, died due to cardiac arrest. Politicians, sportspersons and many other eminent personalities from across the country shared their grief over her demise and offered condolences to the Dikshit family. Among the sportspersons offering their prayers and support were former international cricketers Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Mohammed Kaif and Virender Sehwag. RIP Sheila Dikshit: Akshay Kumar, Raveena Tandon, Richa Chadha and Other Bollywood Celebs Mourn Former Delhi CM's Death.

Olympian and former Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore also took to Twitter to share the grief. While another Olympic medallist Vijender Singh, who won a bronze in boXing and was also one of Congress party's losing candidate in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, also offered his prayers. He had lost from the South Delhi constituency. Sheila Dikshit No More: Delhi Government Announces 2-Day State Mourning Over Former CM's Demise.

Champion of People

Cricketer-turned-politician Gambhir, who is also a Member of Parliament from East Delhi apart from being a former Delhi cricketer, called the late politician “champion of people” and offered his condolences to the grieving family. While another cricketer from the capital, Virender Sehwag, mourned her death.

Virender Sehwag Offers Heartfelt Condolences

Fine Human Being

Meanwhile, former sports minister and Olympic medallist Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore also took to Twitter to share his grief over the former Chief Minister’s demise. Calling the late Dikshit “a fine human being,’ Rathore said “I still remember her gesture of humility when she walked all the way across the stadium to congratulate me on winning at CWG Melbourne, 2006. I was humbled. May her soul RIP.”

Vijender Singh Mourns Sheila Dikshit's Death

Olympic bronze winning-medallist Boxer Vijender Singh, who lost the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from the South Delhi constituency, also offered his condolences and prayers for the bereaved family. Among other sportspersons offering their condolences were former international cricketers, Suresh Raina and Mohammad Kaif. Raina, who was part of India’s 2011 World Cup triumph at home expressed his grief over the death, while Kaif offered his prayers for the supports and family members of the late politician.

Mohammad Kaif Offers His Prayers

Suresh Raina Mourns

Fortis Escorts Heart Institute in Delhi where Sheila Dikshit passed away issued a statement following her death. She was admitted on Saturday morning and was "in a critical condition with cardiac arrest". A multi-disciplinary team of doctors, led by Dr Ashok Seth, Chairman, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, carried out the advanced resuscitative measures. Her condition stabilised temporarily. However, she had another cardiac arrest and despite all the resuscitative efforts, passed away at 3:55 pm on 20th," said the statement as quoted by ANI.

Of late, Dikshit had suffered several health issues and also had undergone three bypass surgeries. But none really foretold her sudden demise. The late Dikshit even attended a political meeting on Thursday before her demise two days later.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 20, 2019 10:37 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).