in

LIVE: Former FM ‘Arun Jaitley’ passes away at 66

The former finance minister (FM) and a stalwart of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), passed away on August 24. BJP veteran leader Arun Jaitley, 66, who died in AIIMS at 12.07 pm was undergoing treatment at the hospital for a few weeks. He was admitted there on August 9.

Source: AIIMS.

As per the report, During the Narendra Modi government’s first term in office, He was seen as the prime minister’s ‘go-to’ man. Jaitley was the one to take on the responsibilities of temporarily handling ministries other than his primary portfolio of finance.

He was unwell for a large part of the last two years. In 2018, Arun Jaitley underwent a kidney transplant surgery, following which he was put under isolation. Four years earlier, in 2014, former FM underwent a bariatric surgery to address the excess weight he had gained due to diabetes.

As finance minister, he presented all of the Narendra Modi government 1.0’s budgets. Although, due to his ill health, he was unable to present the 2019 Interim Budget, which was instead presented by his colleague Piyush Goyal.

A great lawyer by profession, Arun Jaitley also served on the Atal Bihari Vajapyee cabinet. Between 2009 and 2019, when the BJP sat in the Opposition benches, Arun Jaitley served as the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s condelence message for Arun Jaitley’s family:

Arun Jaitley Ji was a political giant, towering intellectual and legal luminary. He was an articulate leader who made a lasting contribution to India. His passing away is very saddening. Spoke to his wife Sangeeta Ji as well as son Rohan, and expressed condolences. Om Shanti. As per the PM twitted.

With the demise of Arun Jaitley Ji, the PM said, 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!

He added that, BJP and Arun Jaitley Ji had an unbreakable bond. As a fiery student leader, he was at forefront of protecting our democracy during the Emergency. He became a much liked face of our Party, who could articulate the Party programmes and ideology to a wide spectrum of society.

During his long political career, Arun Jaitley Ji held multiple ministerial responsibilities, which enabled him to contribute towards India’s economic growth, strengthening our defence capabilities, creating people friendly laws and enhancing trade with other nations.

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, The PM added.

Defence Minister of India, Shri Rajnath Singh condelence message for Arun Jaitley’s family:

Deeply anguished by the demise of my friend and an extremely valued colleague Shri Arun Jaitley ji. He was a proficient lawyer by profession and an efficient politician by passion. He served the nation in several capacities and he was an asset to the government and the party organisation.

He always had a deep and clear understanding of the issues of the day. His knowledge and articulation won him several friends. Jaitley ji will always be remembered for pulling the economy out of the gloom and putting it back on the right track. The BJP will miss Arunji’s presence. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family. The Union Minister asserted.

Also, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has cut short his visit to Hyderabad and is returning to Delhi following the passing away of former Finance Minister and senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley. Deeply pained by the demise of Arun Jaitley ji. It is like a personal loss for me. I have not only lost a senior party leader but also an important family member who will forever be a guiding light for me, he added.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on August 24 condoled the death of former Finance and Defence Minister Arun Jaitley describing it as a personal loss for him and recalled his contribution during Narendra Modi’s first term (2014-19) in making India the world’s fastest growing economy.

In a series of tweets, Amit Shah said, “I am deeply saddened by the death of Arun Jaitley. Jaitley’s departure is a personal loss for me. I have lost not only a senior leader of the organization but also an integral member of the family whose support and guidance I have been receiving for years.”

Advani’s condelence message for Arun Jaitley’s family

“I am deeply saddened to condole the passing away of yet another close colleague Shri Arun Jaitley ji. Besides being a big luminary in the legal arena, Arunji was an outstanding parliamentarian and a great administrator.

A dedicated party worker for decades, he was someone who was inducted into the BJP core team when I was Party President and he soon rose to become one of the most prominent leaders of the party.

Arunji was known and respected for his sharp, analytical mind and everyone in the BJP always depended on him for finding solutions to complex issues. He was also someone who valued and nurtured his friendship with people across the political spectrum.

As a person, Arunji will be remembered as a soft-spoken, erudite and warm hearted person. A food lover, he never failed to recommend good restuarants to me. Also on every Deepawali, he made it a point to come with his family to our home to wish us.

Although Arunji was hospitalised for the last couple of weeks, we were all hoping that he would recover soon. His passing away is a huge loss not only to the BJP and the entire Parivar, but also to the nation.

To me, it is a personal loss that has left a huge void. May his soul rest in peace. My heartfelt condolences to Sangeetaji, Sonali, Rohan and all members of his family,” BJP veteran Lal Krishna Advani’s condelence message for Arun Jaitley’s family.

Moreover, Delhi Chief Minister said, Untimely demise of former FM and senior leader Sh Arun Jaitley ji is a huge loss to the nation. A legal luminary and an experienced political leader known for his governance skills will be missed by the country. Thoughts and prayers with his family in this moment of grief. RIP, Delhi CM Mr Arvind Kejriwal Twitted.

Top Congress leaders on August 24 condoled the demise of former finance minister Arun Jaitley, with party chief Sonia Gandhi saying his contributions to public life will be remembered forever.

Former prime minister Manmohan Singh, in a condolence message, described him as an eminent lawyer, an excellent orator, a very good administrator and an outstanding parliamentarian.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said in a tweet, “I am sorry to hear about Mr Arun Jaitley”s passing. My condolences to his family and friends. May he rest in peace.” Sonia Gandhi expressed deep pain and distress at the passing away of Jaitley. She argued that, Jaitley had a long innings as a public figure, parliamentarian and minister and his contributions to public life will forever be remembered.

While Former president Pranab Mukherjee stated that, he had visited him a day back and had prayed for his speedy recovery. “He was a leader with deep intellect and knowledge, and a voice of reason. He will be dearly missed. My prayers with his family, friends and admirers,” he said.

The Congress party said, “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.” In his condolence message to Jaitley’s wife Sangeeta, former prime minister Manmohan Singh said, “In his death our country has lost a great leader who always worked for the betterment of society.”

The Congress party’s chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, “Saddened to know about the demise of Shri Arun Jaitley. My deepest condolences to his family. An astute parliamentarian, he”ll always be remembered. May his soul Rest in Peace.” Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel said in Jaitley the nation has a lost an articulate leader and an excellent human being.

Noted lawyer and former union minister Kapil Sibal said he has lost an old friend and a dear colleague. “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,” he said.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said, “Deeply saddened to know of untimely demise of former Union minister and senior BJP leader, Sh Arun Jaitley. My heartfelt condolences to his family members. May God give them strength. May his soul rest in peace.” Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said Jaitley’s death is a great loss for the country.

This is a really sad & a great loss.. Notably, “A great lawyer by profession, He also served on the Atal Bihari Vajapyee cabinet. Between 2009 & 2019. When the ruling sat in the opposition benches, Arun Jaitley ji played many key role to decode the oppositions by using his intellectual power and property rights.. Jaitley’s role as the main troubleshooter for the Narendra Modi Cabinet, As per he implemented many transformative policies such as GST, IBC, Bank Consolidation, Macro Stabilisation, and FDI Liberalization etc.. May the god comfort his family! #RIP: Added, Youth Darpan CEO, Mr Trilok Singh.

Here is the LIVE Updates

Google cracks whip on political debates at workplace

Happy Krishna Janmashtami 2019