A long era of Delhi’s politics ended with the demise of former Delhi Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Sheila Dikshit. On Saturday,  she died of cardiac arrest. As soon as the news of her death broke out, hundreds of her supporters, cutting across political spectrum, reached her Nizamuddin East residence and raised slogans like "Sheila Dikshit Amar Rahe". Several senior leaders from different political parties paid tributes to her.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former President Pranab Mukherjee, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, former Congress president and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, senior Congress leaders —  Jyotiraditya Scindia, Shivraj Patil, Ahmed Patel and Jagdish Tytler, Loktantrik Janta Dal (LJP) leader Sharad Yadav and CPI(M) leaders Sitaram Yechury and Brinda Karat et al — were among those who visited her residence to pay tribute to the departed soul.

The Delhi Police enhanced the security outside Dikshit's residence. Jagdish Tytler and BJP veteran Vijay Goel were among the first to reach her residence. Talking about his association with the three-time Delhi Chief Minister, Tytler said, "I can't recall a single incident when Dikshitji used harsh word for anyone. Her demise is a big loss not only for the Congress but also for the people of Delhi".

"She had dedicated her entire life to the welfare of society. Even at this stage of life, she had always been the voice of the public," Scindia said.

"I have lost a longtime friend," former President Pranab Mukherjee said.

"She was a motherly figure to us. We all have learnt the basics of politics from her and grew as a leader or party worker under her guidance. Today, we have lost not only a leader but also a great person," Yogesh Bansal, a youth party worker said.

Congress Seva Dal worker, Azeem, said it was Dikshit who developed Delhi. "She will be remembered for the development work carried out during her 15 years regime from 1998 to 2013," he added.

Dikshit was credited for Delhi's growing infrastructure, including roads and flyovers, a less polluted city, better public transport system as well as development on the health and educational fronts.

She was the longest serving Chief Minister of Delhi, completing three consecutive tenures from 1998 to 2013 before finally losing to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led by Arvind Kejriwal in December 2013.