Sushma Swaraj addresses grievances on Twitter despite undergoing treatment for kidney failure

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on 16 November had tweeted that she has been admitted in Aiims, Delhi due to kidney failure and underwent tests for a transplant.

Despite undergoing treatment, Swaraj has been actively addressing grievances on Twitter. Sunil Raman wrote for Firstpost that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will soon appoint a full-time foreign minister as Swaraj is “expected to remain out of active duty for many months”.

“Modi is looking for a likely successor to Swaraj from among the limited talent on BJP bench. It is expected that the appointment and a few changes in portfolios might take place after the Winter Session of Parliament ends." 

[caption id=“attachment_3039746” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. File photo. AFP[/caption] Swaraj has not only dealt with various international crisis and assisted people in distress in India and abroad, but after she took charge as the external affairs minister in 2014, her Twitter feed has turned into a news bulletin, a platform where distressed Indians come seeking assistance. Not just helping people with visa and immigration issues, Swaraj has been the face of the NDA government while addressing any kind of international crisis. Whether it is the timely updates during Operation Raahat where 6,688 people were evacuated from war-torn Yemen or her powerful rebuttal to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the UN General Assembly after the Uri attack, Swaraj has earned the admiration of the country. Things have not much changed even when she is in the hospital. She has been actively addressing grievances on Twitter. Take this example:

On Saturday, the External Affairs Minister said those guilty of an alleged gang rape of an American woman in March this year at a luxury hotel in the national capital won’t be spared and asked Delhi Police to register a case. Taking cognisance of media reports about the alleged rape, Swaraj in a series of tweets said she spoke to Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung and Indian Ambassador in US Navtej Sarna about the matter.

According to The Economic Times , the minister has been clearing files and holding discussions and the functioning of her ministry has not been affected despite her absence. Irrespective of who succeeds her, he/she will definitely have big shoes to fill. (With inputs from PTI)