New Delhi, Jul 20 (IANS): Senior BJP leader V.K. Malhotra on Saturday described the death of former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit as a big loss for the country and for him personally as he shared a "family bond" with her.

Talking to IANS, Malhotra said, "With the death of Sheila Dikshitji, the country has lost a very humble and polite politician.

"In her demise, I have lost my sister..."

Malhotra, who was Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly during her third and final stint as Chief Minister (2018-13), said that he worked with Dikshit for over three decades in the national capital.

"Even in the Delhi Assembly, I was the Leader of Opposition and many times I criticised her over several issues. But this never came between the bond of brother and sister that we shared with each other."

Recalling his meeting with Dikshit few weeks ago, Malhotra said: "I had gone to meet Sheilaji at her residence after the Lok Sabha elections and asked why did she contest despite winning number of elections.

"She told me that 'I am a committed party worker, my party gave me opportunity to be the Chief Minister of Delhi thrice, so whenever the party needs me, I cannot let it down by declining the opportunity'," he said.

Dikshit, who served as Chief Minister of Delhi for three consecutive terms (1998-2013) passed away on Saturday afternoon at a private hospital following cardiac arrest.