The Goa Legislative Assembly on Wednesday condoled the death of former Union Foreign Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. Legislators cutting across party lines expressed shock at the sudden demise of the senior BJP leader while many recalled their political and personal rapport with her. The resolution condoling her death was moved by CM Pramod Sawant, who said Swaraj shone in the male dominated political arena without having any family dynasty in this field. “She has shown how anyone with the capability can climb up the ladder of success,” he said. 
Speaker Rajesh Patnekar called Swaraj an Iron Lady in Indian politics stating her death is a major loss to the country. The House observed one-minute silence. Supporting the motion, Opposition leader Digambar Kamat attributed IFFI’s entry into Goa to Swaraj, who was the then I& B Minister. “The entire credit goes to her for making Goa a permanent venue for hosting IFFI. This was a gift from her for Goa. She worked across the political lines respecting even the political opponents. She had no bitterness, no ego,” he stated.  BJP MLA Felipe Neri Rodrigues and Congress’s Reginaldo Lourenco also recognized her efforts to bring IFFI to Goa.