Sheila Dikshit: The leader who brought old-world grace to new-age politics

Her ability to bridge apparent contradictions helped her become one of the most successful CMs of her time, and a face of development across India

At a party meeting a few months back, Sheila Dikshit received a letter from Rahul Gandhi, requesting her to contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Dikshit had not intended to, but those in the room noticed the letter had moved her to tears.

Dikshit later told her family and friends that if Rahul wanted her to, then she would contest. The three-term chief minister (CM) of Delhi contested from the Northeast Delhi seat — and lost amid the Congress’s dismal pan-Indian performance.

But her will to fight was strong till her last day. She was preparing for the Assembly polls