#RIPArunJaitley: BJP veteran's last rites at Nigambodh Ghat on Sunday
Former Union Finance Minister and senior BJP leader, Arun Jaitley, who passed away on Saturday, will be cremated on Sunday afternoon at the Nigambodh Ghat in Delhi. BJP leader Sudhanshu Mittal said that the last rites would be performed at 4:00 pm. His mortal remains will be taken to the BJP headquarters from his residence at 10 am on Sunday morning. Here's more.
Jaitley was admitted to AIIMS, New Delhi on August 9 after he complained of palpitations and restlessness. He breathed his last at 12:07 pm on Saturday. He was 66. The former Union minister is survived by his wife Sangeeta and two children Rohan and Sonali.
The mortal remains of Jaitley were taken to his Kailash Colony residence in Delhi after the formalities at AIIMS were completed on Saturday. His body will be kept at the BJP headquarters on Sunday morning where leaders across political parties are expected to pay their last respects. It will be taken to the Nigambodh Ghat from the BJP headquarters for the last rites.
PM Narendra Modi, who is in the UAE, expressed grief over the demise of Jaitley, calling him a "political giant, towering intellectual and legal luminary." "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 tweeted.
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
"BJP and Arun Jaitley Ji had unbreakable bond. As a fiery student leader, he was at forefront of protecting democracy during Emergency," PM Modi was quoted as saying by ANI. "He became a much liked face of our Party, who could articulate the Party programs and ideology to a wide spectrum of society," the Prime Minister added.
PM Modi: BJP Arun Jaitley Ji had unbreakable bond. As a fiery student leader, he was at forefront of protecting democracy during Emergency. He became a much liked face of our Party, who could articulate the Party programmes ideology to a wide spectrum of society. (File pic) pic.twitter.com/PAQAr2WqFq
— ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2019
BJP working president JP Nadda also confirmed that Jaitley's body will be kept at his Kailash Colony residence till 10 am. "The time is not confirmed till now, but his body will be cremated tomorrow," he said. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to the family of Jaitley ji on a phone call and expressed his grief in this hard time," he added.
