New Delhi, 06 August (H.S.): The Delhi unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday organised a tribute programme to commemorate the death anniversary of former External Affairs Minister and Padma Vibhushan awardee Sushma Swaraj. On the occasion, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Delhi BJP President Harsh Malhotra, Delhi Legislative Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta, New Delhi MP Bansuri Swaraj, Members of Parliament Manoj Tiwari, Yogendra Chandolia and Praveen Khandelwal, along with several senior leaders, paid floral tributes to the late leader at the Delhi BJP headquarters and Vasant Udyan. They later planted saplings in her memory under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign.

At the tribute ceremony held at the Delhi BJP office, party leaders offered floral tributes before a portrait of Sushma Swaraj. This was followed by a commemorative programme at Vasant Udyan in Vasant Vihar, where saplings were planted in her honour.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta described Sushma Swaraj as her greatest source of inspiration. She said that whatever she has been able to accomplish today for society and for Delhi is the result of the guidance and inspiration she received from the late leader.

Delhi BJP President Harsh Malhotra said Sushma Swaraj was not merely a political leader but an enduring ideal in Indian politics, embodying a rare combination of compassion, determination, governance and public service. He said that as External Affairs Minister, she built an extraordinary bond of trust with Indians across the world, ensuring that citizens facing difficulties abroad always felt there was someone in New Delhi looking after them. He urged party workers to adopt her ideals of Nation First, selfless service, and respect for women in their lives.

Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta said Sushma Swaraj was a compassionate and dedicated leader who mentored thousands of BJP workers. He added that her leadership and affection inspired many party workers to pursue public life.

MP Manoj Tiwari said leaders with the sensitivity and humility of Sushma Swaraj are rare. He recalled that she was the one who informed and guided him before he contested his first election on a BJP ticket, describing it as one of the most cherished memories of his political journey.

MP Yogendra Chandolia said he received the opportunity to contest his first Assembly election under the guidance of Sushma Swaraj. MP Praveen Khandelwal said he had benefited from her guidance and encouragement on several occasions while representing trade organisations, calling her support a constant source of inspiration.

In an emotional address, New Delhi MP Bansuri Swaraj said her mother was not only her mother but also a mother and elder sister to lakhs of BJP workers. She said that despite heavy rainfall, the large number of people who gathered to pay tribute strengthened her resolve to carry forward the spirit of public service.

The programme was also attended by Delhi government ministers Ashish Sood and Manjinder Singh Sirsa; MPs Kamaljeet Sehrawat and Swati Maliwal; former Delhi BJP President Satish Upadhyay; MLAs Neeraj Basoya, Shikha Rai, Shyam Sharma, Harish Khurana and Umang Bajaj; NDMC Vice Chairman Kuljeet Singh Chahal and member Dinesh Pratap Singh; Delhi BJP General Secretaries Rajesh Bhatia and Yogita Singh; Vice President Vijay Solanki; Treasurer Satish Garg; Minister Abhishek Tandon; Media Head Praveen Shankar Kapoor; BJP Yuva Morcha President Rajat Chaudhary; along with party office-bearers, municipal councillors, BJP workers, and a large number of local residents.

Following the tribute ceremony, the leaders participated in a tree plantation drive under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign to honour the memory of Sushma Swaraj.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar