Porvorim: Goa Legislative Assembly on Wednesday condoled the death of former Union Foreign Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who passed away on Tuesday evening at AIIMS, New Delhi.
The resolution condoling her death was moved by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on the floor of the House after Zero Hour on Wednesday.
Speaking on the motion, Sawant said that Swaraj shone in the male dominated political arena even without having any family dynasty in this field.
“She has shown how any one with the capability can climb up the ladder of success,” he said.
Passing the motion, Speaker Rajesh Patnekar said that Swaraj was “iron lady in Indian politics.’” “Her death is a big loss to the country. House is with her family in this times of grief,” he said.
The House condoled the passing away of Swaraj by offering one minute silence.
Earlier supporting the motion, Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat said that International Film Festival of India (IFFI) was the gift to Goa by her during her tenure as Union Information and Broadcasting ministry.
Kamat said that she was working across the political lines respecting even the political opponents.
Deputy chief minister Manohar Ajgaonkar said that she will be known for her attitude of walking extra-mile to help those Indians who were stranded abroad.
Deputy Speaker of legislative Assembly Isidore Fernandes said that during Parliamentary debates, Swaraj had ability to convince even her political opponents.
“The way she was answering every question was remarkable. Today, India has lost a great leader,” he said.
BJP Minister Milind Naik said that she was an inspiration for many women in the country who would like to be leader like her.
State Environment Minister and BJP MLA Nilesh Cabral recalled how she was accessible to the common public despite holding high position like union external affairs minister.
Former chief minister and Congress MLA Pratapsingh Rane said that the curtain is down on a great personality amongst women in India. “She is amongst very few women in the country who was elected three times as member of parliament,” he said recalling his meeting with her. “I have no words for the personality that she was,” he said.
BJP MLA Dayanand Sopte recalled his early days of politics in the party when he was inspired from leaders like late Pramod Mahajan and Sushma Swaraj.
MGP MLA Sudin Dhavalikar said that she was the most influential woman politician in India after late Prime minister Indira Gandhi. He said that she was instrumental in taking historic step of showing live telecast of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha during her tenure as Union Information and Broadcasting Minister.
