(Image source from: khabarindiatv)

Three-time Delhi Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Sheila Dikshit breathed her last on Saturday in New Delhi. She was 81.

Shiela Dikshit had been ill for a long time. She was admitted at around 10.30 a.m. today and died at 3.30 p.m. at a city hospital.

Shiela Dikshit was the senior-most Indian National Congress leader in its Delhi unit. She served as Delhi's chief minister for 15 years. She was also very close to the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

In a tweet, the Congress said it regrets the death of Sheila Dikshit. The party said as chief minister, she transformed the face of Delhi in her 15-year tenure.

"We regret to hear of the passing of Smt Sheila Dikshit. Lifelong congresswoman and as three time CM of Delhi she transformed the face of Delhi. Our condolences to her family and friends. Hope they find strength in this time of grief," the Congress said.

Sheila Dikshit had served as Delhi's chief minister for three consecutive terms between 1998 and 2013. She was succeeded by Aam Aadmi Party's Arvind Kejriwal.

Kejriwal tweeted to say Dikshit's contribution to Delhi will always be remembered. "It is a huge loss for Delhi and her contribution will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to her family members. May her soul rest in peace," he said.

President Ram Nath Kovind also offered his condolences. "Her term in office was a period of momentous transformation for the capital for which she will be remembered. Condolences to her family and associates," he tweeted.

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

Sheila Dikshit, after her stint as Delhi chief minister, was sworn in as Kerala's Governor in 2004 but stepped down in just six months.

She had started off as a reluctant politician, and cut her political teeth assisting her father-in-law, a veteran Uttar Pradesh Congress leader Uma Shankar Dikshit, who was a minster in Indira Gandhi's cabinet.

Born in Punjab's Kapurthala, Dikshit was credited with numerous people-friendly programs.

By Sowmya Sangam