Former finance minister Arun Jaitley died on Saturday, August 24 at AIIMS. He was 66. In a brief statement, the hospital said Jaitley died at 12.07 pm.
“It is profound grief that we inform about the sad demise of Arun Jaitley, former Finance Minister of Government of India, at 12.07 pm on August 24,” said AIIMS.
The former Union Minister was admitted to AIIMS on August 9 following complaints of breathlessness, restlessness and palpitations.
He had been diagnosed with a form of cancer, soft tissue sarcoma, in January this year. He was kept under observation at the Cardio-Neuro-Centre of the hospital, however, his condition deteriorated by the evening.
Jaitley did not contest the 2019 Lok Sabha election, because of his ill-health. Early this year, Jaitley was admitted to AIIMS for treatment. He had undergone a renal transplant on May 14 last year at AIIMS.
Condolences messages from leaders and people from have started to pour in to pay respect to the former finance minister.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he has lost a true friend.
Full of life, blessed with wit, a great sense of humour and charisma, Arun Jaitley Ji was admired by people across all sections of society. He was multi-faceted, having impeccable knowledge about India’s Constitution, history, public policy, governance and administration.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 24, 2019
With the demise of Arun Jaitley Ji, I have lost a valued friend, whom I have had the honour of knowing for decades. His insight on issues and nuanced understanding of matters had very few parallels. He lived well, leaving us all with innumerable happy memories. We will miss him!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 24, 2019
President Ramnath Kovind tweeted that Arun Jaitley has contributed immensely to nation-building.
Shri Arun Jaitley possessed a unique ability of discharging the most onerous responsibility with poise, passion and studied understanding.
His passing leaves a huge void in our public life and our intellectual ecosystem. Condolences to his family and associates #PresidentKovind
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 24, 2019
Opposition leaders including Congress President also paid their condolence.
Congress President Smt. Sonia Gandhi shares a condolence message for Shri Arun Jaitley. pic.twitter.com/19sEA2900u
— Congress (@INCIndia) August 24, 2019
Very sorry to learn that Arun Jaitley is no more . An old friend and a dear colleague will be remembered for his seminal contributions to the polity and as FM of India . As Leader of Opposition he was without match . He always stood steadfastly for his friends and for his party .
— Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) August 24, 2019
During the first five years of the Modi government, Jaitely held the portfolios of Finance Ministry, Corporate Affairs Ministry, Defence Ministry, and Minister of Information and Broadcasting at various times.
Arun Jaitely had served as a cabinet minister in Vajpayee government. Between 1999-2004, he became the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Law and Justice.
Alumni of Delhi’s St Xavier’s School and SRCC college, Arun Jaitely entered early in politics.
As an ABVP student leader at the Delhi University campus in the seventies and the President of the Students Union of Delhi University later in 1974, he spent 19 months in jail during the Emergency.
In the early eighties, he shifted from ABVP to BJP, where he became the leader of the youth wing.
A Rajya Sabha MP between 2000 and 2018 from Gujarat, Arun Jaitley led the opposition in the Upper House during UPA-II.
He served as Additional Solicitor General between 1989 and 1990 and was also a senior Supreme Court advocate.
Writing to the Prime Minister, Arun Jaitley had cited health reasons for his decision. Jaitley said staying away from any responsibility will help him concentrate on his treatment and health.
In the letter, Jaitley said it had been an “honour” and a “learning experience” to be part of the Modi-led National Democratic Alliance government.
Jaitley said in the last year-and-a-half, he’s had some “serious health challenges”. “My doctors have enabled me to emerge out of most of them,” Jaitley said, before placing his request that he not be given “any responsibility” in the Narendra Modi government’s second term.
Former Union Minister and senior BJP leader, Arun Jaitley was cremated on August 25 at the Nigambodh Ghat with state honours in the presence of political leaders and supporters where thousands paid tribute to him.
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