Former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley passes away at 66

New Delhi: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former finance minister, Arun Jaitley passed away, on August 24 at AIIMS, Delhi due to prolonged illness.

Arun Jaitley was admitted to AIIMS on August 9, due to deteriorating health condition and was unable to breath properly, as per hospital staff. After 15 days of long battle, the 66-years-old leader finally breathed his last, today at 12:07 pm.

Watch Video Here: Former finance minister Arun Jaitely passes away at 67

Ever since the leader was admitted to hospital, many political leaders came to pay him visit and wished him good health. Big names such as senior BJP leader LK Advani, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal and BJP MP Maneka Gandhi had visited him in the hospital. President Ramnath Kovind, Home Minister Amit Shah Jaitley, former CM of UP and BSP supremo Mayawati also went to AIIMS to see him and extend their support in his illness.

Here is AIIMS note announcing Arun Jaitley's death

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To pay their last tribute to the leader, many political leaders are flocking back to Delhi. Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu who was to leave from Chennai for Nellore in Andhra Pradesh, had to cut short his visit and is returning to Delhi.

Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu (in file pic) who was to leave from Chennai for Nellore in Andhra Pradesh, has cut short his visit and is returning to Delhi following the demise of former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. pic.twitter.com/yy30WyD7sM

— ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2019

Home Minister, Amit Shah is also returing back to the capital to attend the last rites of Arun jaitley. Shah also showed his grief through his twitter account,

HM Amit Shah: Deeply pained by the demise of #ArunJaitley ji. It is like a personal loss for me. I have not only lost a senior party leader but also an important family member who will forever be a guiding light for me. (file pic) pic.twitter.com/Bka1NevxLO

— ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2019

Remembering Arun jaitley's life and contribution in the party and to the Country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote a series of tweets on the micro-blogging site:

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 an unbreakable bond. As a fiery student leader, he was at forefront of protecting our democracy during the Emergency. He became a much liked face of our Party, who could articulate the Party programmes and ideology to a wide spectrum of society.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 24, 2019

During his long political career, Arun Jaitley Ji held multiple ministerial responsibilities, which enabled him to contribute towards India’s economic growth, strengthening our defence capabilities, creating people friendly laws and enhancing trade with other nations.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 24, 2019

Full of life, blessed with wit, a great sense of humour and charisma, Arun Jaitley Ji was admired by people across all sections of society. He was multi-faceted, having impeccable knowledge about India’s Constitution, history, public policy, governance and administration.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 24, 2019

Arun Jaitley also served as a senior advocate in Supreme Court and had held the Finance Ministry, Corporate Affairs Ministry and Defence Ministry in Modi-government, during 2014-18. However, due to health issues, Jaitley did not contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and had excused himself from participating in the polls by writing a letter to PM Modi.

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