Former FM and BJP stalwart Arun Jaitley passes away, politicians mourn

He breathed his last at 12:07 pm.

A lawyer by profession, Jaitley is survived by his wife Sangeeta, a son and a daughter who also joined the legal profession. He was admitted to the AIIMS on August 9 with complaints of breathing problems.

The 1952 born Jaitley 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 Piyush Goyal. Also the senior politician, who was the finance minister when Modi announced the controversial demonetisation move in 2016, opted out of the second  Modi innings in New Delhi owing to his illness.

The death of Jaitley came as a big setback to the BJP after the passing away of another top leader, Sushma Swaraj. Both were considered the liberal faces of the Hindu nationalist BJP known for its hard line HIndutva beliefs derived from its ideological parent, the RSS.

After years of students politics and working for his party's youth wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Jaitley became the member of the BJP's national executive in 1991. Before the 1999 General Elections, which saw the BJP's rise in the Indian politics, Jaitley was named as the spokesperson of the party.

After BJP founder Atal Bihari Vajpayee became the Prime Minister in 1999, Jaitley served in multiple ministries.

Jaitley, who remained a Rajya Sabha MP all throughout his political life, became the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting (Independent Charge) and the Minister of State for Disinvestment (Independent Charge).

He also served the Minister of Law, Justice and Company Affairs and Shipping.

Jaitley handled the portfolios of Information and Broadcasting, Defence, Corporate Affairs and Finance in different times in the Modi government.

However, he remained the Defence Minister for a short period of time after late Manohar Parrikar left the post to become the Goa Chief Minister in 2017.

Under his leadership, India got its biggest tax reform. In the midnight of July 1, 2017, then President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Modi and Jaitley rolled out the Goods and Services Tax (GST) to streamline the tax regime in the country.

Politicians mourn

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, "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."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president, Amit Shah, tweeted, "Extremely saddened at the passing away of Arun Jaitley. His demise is a personal loss for me. Not only I lost a veteran leader but also someone whose direction I have followed all my life."

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, "Jaitleyji 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 Congress said in its Twitter handle, "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."

"Extremely saddened at the passing away of Arun Jaitley Ji, after a battle bravely borne. An outstanding Parliamentarian & a brilliant lawyer, appreciated across parties. His contribution to Indian polity will be remembered. My condolences to his wife, children, friends & admirers" said West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said in a tweet, "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"

Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati said, "Arun Jaitley's demise is saddening. I had visited him in hospital where he was admitted. He was a good lawyer and a person. His contribution to Indian politics is unforgettable. My condolences to his family."

(Image Credit: PIB Archive)