Veteran BJP leader and former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has passed away, aged 66. He was taken to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences earlier this month. Home Minister Amit Shah has cut short his visit to Hyderabad and is returning to Delhi following Jaitley’s death.
A press release by AIIMS said, “It is with profound grief that we inform about the sad demise of Shri Arun Jaitley, Hon’ble Member of Parliament & Former Finance Minister, Government of India at 12.07 pm on 24th August 2019.”
66-year-old Jaitley had not contested this year’s Lok Sabha polls owing to poor health and also declined to accept any ministerial responsibilities. He held several key ministries including Finance and Defence portfolios during Modi’s first term as Prime Minister.
Jaitley had undergone a successful kidney transplant in March 2017.
Jaitley contested Lok Sabha polls twice with success eluding him on both the occasions. He first contested from Delhi’s Chandani Chowk but lost to Congress’ Kapil Sibal. In 2014, he tried his luck again, this time from Amritsar in Punjab. Once again he was defeated.
Not only did Prime Minister Narendra Modi get him elected through the Rajya Sabha, he handed him three key portfolios of Defence, Finance and Information & Broadcasting ministries in his first term as the head of the government.
He was the man responsible for ensuring favourable coverage for the government. He was involved in several controversies with most notable being his defamation case filed against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. He also had a huge public spat with his former BJP colleague Kirti Azad, who accused him of corruption while heading the DDCA. Azad was later suspended from the BJP for his public criticism of Jaitley.
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Jammu & Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Rahul Gandhi visiting SRINAGAR: There is no need for him now, he was needed when his colleague was speaking in the Parliament. If he wants to aggravate the situation & come here to repeat the lie he told in Delhi, it is not good. pic.twitter.com/yVOTMdTn0K
— ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2019
Delhi: Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad pay tribute to former Finance Minister #ArunJaitley pic.twitter.com/BSAm9e0lKN
— ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2019
Delhi: Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia along with his family, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal & Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, pay tribute to former Finance Minister #ArunJaitley, who passed away earlier today. pic.twitter.com/FNtlDST38y
— ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2019
Delhi: Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia along with his family, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal & Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, pay tribute to former Finance Minister #ArunJaitley, who passed away earlier today. pic.twitter.com/FNtlDST38y
— ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2019
Delhi: External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar pays tribute to former Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who passed away at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, earlier today. pic.twitter.com/7pjZN2FkiX
— ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2019
Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind pays tribute to former Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who passed away at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, earlier today. pic.twitter.com/AZaxUZh0zO
— ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2019
- J&K Governor SP Malik on #ArunJaitley: It’s a big loss for BJP,country & for me personally.He was a very talented person, brilliant people like him are rarely seen in politics. I pray to the almighty to give peace to his soul & grant strength to his family at this moment of grief (ANI)
- Uttarakhand Government has declared state mourning of a day following demise of Former Finance Minister #ArunJaitley; the national flag will fly at half mast. (ANI)
Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah pays tribute to former Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who passed away at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, earlier today. pic.twitter.com/C6VxsplH9L
— ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2019
- Delhi: Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan lays a wreath on mortal remains of former Finance Minister #ArunJaitley, on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (ANI)
- BJP Working President, JP Nadda on #ArunJaitley: His mortal remains will be soon taken to his residence. Tomorrow, around 10 am, the mortal remains will be taken to BJP headquarters for people to pay their last respects. Post-afternoon, the cremation will be held a Nigambodh Ghat (ANI)
- Vice-President and BJP leader, M Venkaiah Naidu on #ArunJaitley: His death is an irreparable loss for the country and personally to me also. I have no words to express my grief. He was a powerful intellectual, an able administrator and a man of impeccable integrity. (ANI)
- French Ambassador to India Alexandre Ziegler: On behalf of France, I offer our heartfelt condolences to the family & loved ones of Arun Jaitley ji. France stands with India & its people in this time of deep grief. (ANI)
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Lucknow: Just got to know of the passing away of Arun Jaitley Ji. He was an asset for the country, for the govt, and for the party. I will leave for Delhi to pay tributes to Arun Jaitley Ji. (ANI)
- President Ram Nath Kovind: Extremely saddened by the passing of Arun Jaitley after battling a long illness with fortitude and dignity. A brilliant lawyer, a seasoned parliamentarian, and a distinguished Minister, he contributed immensely to nation-building. (ANI)
- We are deeply saddened to hear the passing of Shri Arun Jaitley. Our condolences to his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them in this time of grief.
- Met Shri #ArunJaitley Ji almost 20 years back for the first time & have been his admirer ever since. His demise is a huge loss for our nation. Will be truly missed. My heartfelt condolences to the family: Anil Kapoor
- Pained at the passing away of #ArunJaitley ji. Apart from having served greatly in public life, he played a huge role in many players from Delhi getting an opportunity to represent India. There was a time when not many players from Delhi got a chance at the highest level: Virender Sehwag