BJP's troubleshooter and stalwart, Arun Jaitley cremated with state honors
One of the tallest leaders of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Arun Jaitley, who breathed his last on Saturday, was cremated with complete state honors at New Delhi's Nigam Bodh Ghat a short while ago. The last rites were attended by a slew of top BJP leaders including Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Jaitley is survived by his wife Sangeeta and two children.
66-year-old Jaitley passed away at AIIMS, where he had been admitted on August 9 after he complained of restlessness and breathlessness. He was kept under the care of a multidisciplinary team of doctors. Jaitley's health had deteriorated since last year after he underwent a kidney transplant. He also opted out of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's second term due to his ailing health.
"It is with profound grief that we inform about the sad demise of Shri Arun Jaitley... Shri Arun Jaitley was admitted in AIIMS, New Delhi on 09/08/2019 and was treated by a multidisciplinary team of senior doctors," the premier hospital informed in a brief statement.
Jaitley's body was taken to his South Delhi residence on Saturday and was shifted to BJP HQ on Sunday, to allow people to pay tributes. Shah, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, former Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu, and BJP leader Ram Madhav came to his residence to offer tributes. British High Commissioner to India, Sir Dominic Asquith, also paid a visit.
British High Commissioner to India, Sir Dominic Asquith on #ArunJaitley: He was a man that many people in Britain treasured, knew well, worked with, valued him for his wisdom, gentleness and humour. He will be much missed. pic.twitter.com/TSxJJRCgd9
— ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2019
Separately, many Opposition leaders also arrived at Jaitley's residence. Senior Congress leader Motilal Vohra, NCP leaders Sharad Pawar and Praful Patel, and RLD leader Ajit Singh went to give sympathy to Jaitley's family. Interim Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi wrote a letter to Sangeeta, saying she understood her pain. Gandhi wrote rich things about Jaitley's spectacular career.
Gandhi said Jaitley fought his cruel illness until the end. "His passing is all the more tragic because he was so young, when he had so much more to contribute to national life. Words are little consolation at this time of grief, but I wanted you, your son and your daughter to know that I share your pain," the letter of Gandhi read.
Delhi: Mortal remains of Former Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader #ArunJaitley brought to party headquarters. pic.twitter.com/ew1XADcfj4
— ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2019
