Former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley passes away

Arun Jaitley is survived by his wife Sangeeta, a son and a daughter.

Jaitley, one of the top leaders of the BJP and a legal mind who had also held the defence portfolio besides finance, was admitted to the AIIMS on August 9 with complaints of breathing problems.

The 1952 born Jaitley, known for his friendly relations with the media, had undergone a renal transplant last year and Railway Minister Piyush Goyal handled the portfolio of Finance for sometime.

Due to his ill health, Jaitley could not present the last budget of the Modi government's first term in February and the task was passed on to Goyal.

Condoling the death, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted: "Arun Jaitley ji 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."

Also the senior politician opted out of the second Narendra Modi government owing to his illness.

The death of Jaitley came as a bit setback to the BJP after the passing away of another top leader Sushma Swaraj.

"He had an ability to charm people from Opposition with his warmth and wit. Few politicians have the ability of Jaitley. He was like a mentor to me," said Congress leader Milind Deora. 

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor mourning his death tweeted: "Deeply saddened by the tragic passing of my friend & Delhi Univ senior⁩. We first met when he was at DUSU& I was President of St Stephen’s College Union. Despite political differences we enjoyed a healthy mutual respect & debated his Budget often in LS. A great loss 4 India."