Modi, Amit Shah, and other politicians condole Arun Jaitley's death
Two weeks after he was admitted to Delhi's AIIMS hospital following complaints of breathlessness, former Finance Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party veteran Arun Jaitley died on Saturday at the age of 66. Jaitley, who had been facing health concerns for months, was the chief trouble-shooter of the BJP and is an immense loss to the party. Here's how people are reacting to his death.
Modi condoled Jaitley's death saying, "Arun Jaitley Ji was a political giant, towering intellectual and legal luminary." He tweeted, "BJP and Arun Jaitley Ji had an unbreakable bond," detailing Jaitley's political contributions, who has held Cabinet portfolios of Finance, Defense, Corporate Affairs, among others. Modi said he had since spoken to Jaitley's wife and son, adding "I have lost a valued friend."
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister and BJP chief Amit Shah tweeted, "I am deeply saddened by the demise of Shri Arun Jaitley ji." Saying that Jaitley was an "integral member" of the family, Shah wrote, "Today, his demise has created a great void in Indian polity and in the Bharatiya Janata Party which can not be filled easily in the years to come."
Separately, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said he was "deeply anguished" upon hearing about Jaitley's passing. "Arun Jaitley served the nation in several capacities and he was an asset to the government and the party organization," Singh wrote on Twitter. Mentioning his contributions towards building the Indian economy, he added, "BJP will miss Arun ji's presence. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family."
In a statement, Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi on Saturday also condoled the former Finance Minister's death, saying, "Jaitley had a long innings as a public figure, Parliamentarian and Minister and his contributions to public life will forever be remembered."
Similarly, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, who had earlier said he looked forward to "crossing political swords" with Jaitley again, also mourned the death of the BJP stalwart. Tharoor tweeted, "Deeply saddened by the tragic passing of my friend and Delhi University senior." "Despite political differences we enjoyed a healthy mutual respect&debated his Budget often in LS. A great loss for India," he stated.
Cabinet Minister for Textiles and Women & Child Development Smriti Irani also remembered Jaitley and grieved for his death. She tweeted, "A stalwart who paid tribute to his simple beginnings by helping those with meager means." She added, "[An] orator par excellence, legal luminary, Arun Jaitley ji served the Nation and Sangathan with dedication and zeal. My tributes to him. Condolences to loved ones."
Noting that he visited Jaitley in the hospital a few days back, former President Pranab Mukherjee said, "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."
Jaitley passed away at 12:07 pm on Saturday afternoon after a prolonged illness. He was admitted at AIIMS in Delhi on August 9 following complaints of breathlessness and palpitations. He had been facing health concerns for months prior to his death and had even requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to not assign include him in his Cabinet as the latter returned to power.
