While managing her father-in-law Uma Shankar Dikshit's affairs, Sheila's potential was noticed by Indira Gandhi. Impressed by her work, Gandhi nominated Sheila as a member of the Indian delegation to the UN Commission on status of women.
She served as Minister of State for Parliamentary affairs in Rajiv Gandhi's Cabinet between 1986-89 but was in brief hibernation after losing Lok Sabha elections in 1989 from Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh.
The Congress sprang a surprise in 1998 when it made her the president of faction-ridden Delhi Congress and then the Chief Minister.
Dikshit led Congress to victory in 2003 and 2008, riding on the twin-plank of governance and development. Her government is being credited with developing infrastructure and better transport facilities to Delhi with the Metro Rail topping the list.
The DMRC, which has become a flagship of development for the Delhi government, was implemented during Dikshit's tenure and is being extended to cover the entire national capital.
Focusing on reforms in various sectors, Dikshit strived hard for involvement of people in decision-making by introducing concept of "bhagidari" (partnership) with Resident Welfare Associations (RWAS) but the initiative did not work during the last five years.
