BJP stalwart and former finance minister Arun Jaitley died on August 24 at AIIMS. He was 66.
In a brief statement, the hospital said Jaitley died at 12.07 pm.
It is profound grief that we inform about the sad demise of Arun Jaitley, former Finance Minister of Government of India, at 12.07 pm on August 24, the AIIMS said.
Jaitley was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here on August 9 and was treated by a multi-disciplinary team of senior doctors.
Hospital sources had earlier said he was on life support.
Jaitley, a lawyer by profession, had been a key member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Cabinet in the BJP government's first term. He held the finance and defence portfolios, and often acted as the chief troubleshooter of the government.
Jaitley did not contest the 2019 Lok Sabha election, because of his ill-health.
In May this year, Jaitley was admitted to AIIMS for treatment.
He had undergone a renal transplant on May 14 last year at AIIMS with Railways Minister Piyush Goyal filling in for him in the finance ministry at that time.
Jaitley, who had stopped attending office since early April last year, was back in the finance ministry on August 23, 2018.
In September 2014, he underwent bariatric surgery to correct the weight he had gained because of a long-standing diabetic condition.
Arun Jaitley's mortal remains have reached the BJP HQ. Party leaders and cadre will be paying their tributes to the former union minister here.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has reached the BJP headquarters.
Update:
Arun Jaitley’s mortal remains are expected to reach the BJP headquarters shortly.
Update:
Arun Jaitley’s mortal remains are now being taken to the BJP headquarters.
British High Commissioner to India, Sir Dominic Asquith to ANI on Arun Jaitley:
He was a man that many people in Britain treasured, knew well, worked with, and valued him for his wisdom, gentleness and humour. He will be much missed.
Arun Jaitley's mortal remains will be taken to the BJP HQ in a short while. BJP leaders and party workers are expected to pay their tributes there.
Former Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhanhas reached Jaitley's residence.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar and senior party leader Praful Patel have arrived at Arun Jaitley's residence to pay their tributes.
Karnataka CM BSYediyurappa, Maharashtra CMDevendraFadnavisand formerAndhraPradesh CM NChandrababuNaiduwill be attending ArunJaitley’sfuneral today, reports suggest.
Arun Jaitley’s mortal remains will be kept at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi today between 10.30 am to 1.00 pm. Party leaders and the cadre will be able to pay their tributes there.
The last rites will take place at the Nigambodh Ghat at around 2.30 pm.
Former union finance minister and senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley passed away yesterday. He was 66. His last rites will take place later today.
US Ambassador to India Ken Juster said it is with much sadness that "we have learned of the passing of Arun Jaitley". "He was a great statesman and a strong proponent of the U.S.-India relationship.May he rest in peace," he wrote on Twitter.
"On behalf of France, I offer our heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Shri Arun Jaitley ji. As the nation mourns its former FM & one of Rajya Sabha's most prominent voices, France stands with India and its people in this time of deep grief," French envoy in India Alexandre Ziegler said in a tweet.
The Haryana government has decided to observe a two-day state mourning as a mark of respect to former Union finance minister Arun Jaitley, who died in New Delhi on Saturday. According to a circular issued by the chief secretary office, the national flag will fly at half-mast from August 24 to August 25 in the state on all the buildings where it is flown regularly, and there will be no official programmes on these days. (PTI)
Sonia Gandhi expressed deep pain and distress at the passing away of Arun Jaitley. She said Jaitley had a long innings as a public figure, parliamentarian and minister and his contributions to public life will forever be remembered. Former president Pranab Mukherjee said he had visited him a day back and had prayed for his speedy recovery. (PTI)
It was in his second tenure as I&B minister that Jaitley paved the way to allow broadcast of news on private FM radio stations. (PTI)
Former union minister Arun Jaitley had not only mastered the "art of writing" but also the "complexities of communication", say bureaucrats who worked with him during his two tenures as Information and Broadcasting minister. Jaitley, 66, was I&B minister during the first NDA government under Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1998-2000) and again from November 2014 to July 2016.
Read more.
It was in jail, the lawyer-turned-politician said, that he picked up an "aptitude for reading and writing". "Friends and family would send me books or I would borrow them from the jail library... For instance, I read the entire Constituent Assembly debates in jail. I would read a lot, write occasionally, and that's a passion that's continued.
The nation will never forget his contribution, he was an asset to the party, the government when he was part of it, and the country. He is not with us anymore, I pay tribute to him, said Union Minister Rajnath Singh, according to an ANI tweet.
"It is with much sadness that we have learned of the passing of Arun Jaitley. He was a great statesman and a strong proponent of the US-India relationship. May he rest in peace." Ken Juster, US Ambassador to India said in a tweet.
The Uttarakhand Government has announced a state-wide mourning for one day in tribute to former finance minister Arun Jaitley, tweeted ANI, and the national flag will fly at half mast.
Tragic loss for India. We also mourn for ourselves, conscious that his [Arun Jaitley's] sharp mind, sober head, and restraining hand will forever be unavailable as India navigates its uncertain economic and political future, said Arvind Subramanian in a tweet.
tweeted ANI.
The BJP has lost one of its diamonds,Arun Jaitley. An orator par excellence,he was a master of articulation.We've lost many leaders in the last year,Atal ji, Ananth Kumar,Manohar Parrikar,Sushma Swaraj and now Arun Jaitley.We deeply mourn his death, said Prakash Javadekar,
JUST IN |
Indian cricket team to wear black arm bands in its match against West Indies today to condole the demise of Former finance minister Arun Jaitley, who was also the president of the Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA) and former vice-president of BCCI. (ANI)
Senior BJP leader LK Advani fondly remembered Arun Jaitley, said Jaitley was known and respected for his "sharp, analytical mind and everyone in the BJP always depended on him for finding solutions to complex issues." (PTI)
JUST IN |
Home Minister Amit Shah has reached Arun Jaitley's residence to pay his respects to the former finance minister.
Chief Minister of Assam Sarbananda Sonowal:
Extremely saddened to learn of the demise of former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley ji. An inspiration and guide, we have lost a towering leader, whose contribution towards shaping the growth story of New India is unparalleled. My deepest condolences in this hour of grief.
Tributes poured in from India Inc with corporate leaders expressing profound grief at the passing away of former Finance Ministry and BJP veteran Arun Jaitley, describing him as a true reformist and a great statesman.
BJP owes Jaitley for being what it is today: Kapil Sibal
Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Saturday said Arun Jaitley was fateful to his ideology till his last breath and the BJP owes him for being what it is today.
Condoling the demise of the former Finance Minister, Sibal said, "We have lost someone whom the nation needed for many years." (PTI)
Karnataka CM, leaders condole Arun Jaitley's death
Leaders cutting across political parties in Karnataka condoled the demise of BJP stalwart and former Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who passed away today after a prolonged illness.
Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa said, Jaitely's untimely passing away has come as a "rude shock" to him as he excelled in Indian politics in the recent years as a best financial and development expert. (PTI)
With the passing away of Arun Jaitley, the country has lost a brilliant parliamentarian, an intelligent statesman and a legal luminary whose advise was trusted by all in public life across the political divide, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta has said.
"It is a great loss for the nation, the Indian polity and the legal fraternity," Mehta told PTI, condoling the former Union Minister's demise.
BJP Working President, JP Naddasaid that the mortal remains of Arun Jaitley be taken to his residence shortly, and they will be taken to the BJP headquarterstomorrow at around 10 am so that people may give their last respects. The cremation is set to take place at Nigambodh Ghat the same afternoon, tweeted ANI.
PM Narendra Modi, who is in the UAE on an official tour, described Arun Jaitley as a "valued friend" whose insights and nuanced understanding of matters had "very few parallels".
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath:
Shri Arun Jaitley Ji will be remembered as a great human being, legal luminary and an outstanding parliamentarian who served the nation selflessly throughout his life. He was a true democrat who fought emergency as a student leader.
SBI Chairman Rajnish Kumar:
"We at State Bank of India deeply mourn the demise of Former Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley. Mr Jaitley will be remembered for the many landmark reforms like GST and IBC that he ushered in his era as FM. With his passing away, the country and the financial sector has lost a true friend and a guide. May his soul rest in eternal peace!"
Jaitley to be cremated at Nigambodh Ghat tomorrow
Former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will be cremated tomorrow afternoon at the Nigambodh Ghat, BJP leader Sudhanshu Mittal said.
Jaitley's body will be taken to his Kailash Colony residence after formalities are completed at the AIIMS. Tomorrow morning, his body will be taken to the BJP headquarters where leaders across the political spectrum are expected to pay their last respects.
From BJP headquarters, it will be taken to the Nigambodh Ghat for the last rites. (PTI)
UPDATE |
Mortal remains of Arun Jaitley will be kept from 11 am to 2 pm at BJP office tomorrow, cremation will take place at 4 pm. (CNN News18)
Uday Kotak:
Very sad about Arun Jaitley. Stood for conviction and commitment. Will miss his presence and fragrance.
JUST IN | BJP leader Sudhanshu Mittal:
Mortal remains of Arun Jaitley will leave shortly from AIIMS for his residence at Kailash Colony. It will remain at his residence tonight and will be moved to the party office tomorrow morning. (CNN News18)
Anand Mahindra:
I salute, and pray for the soul of a man who lived by his convictions and committed his life to his country.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi shares a condolence message for Arun Jaitley.
Vice President Venkaiah Naidu has said that the death of former Union finance minister Arun Jaitley is an "irreparable loss" to the nation and a "personal loss" to him."I am deeply shocked to learn about the demise of Arun Jaitley, a long-time dear friend and one of my closest associates. His death is an irreparable loss to the nation and a personal loss to me. I have no words to express my grief," the condolence message from Naidu said.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh:
Deeply anguished by the demise of my friend and an extremely valued colleague Shri Arun Jaitley ji. He was a proficient lawyer by profession and an efficient politician by passion. Arun Jaitley ji served the nation in severalcapacities 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. 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.
Ambassador of France to India Alexandre Ziegler:
On behalf of France, I offer our heartfelt condolences to the family & loved ones of Shri Arun Jaitley ji. As the nation mourns its former FM & one of Rajya Sabha's most prominent voices, France stands with India and its people in this time of deep grief.
10 highlights of Arun Jaitley's tenure
During his tenure as finance minister, Arun Jaitley oversaw many key developments such as theimplementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), creation of the GST Council, and the disinvestment of PSUs. Read more
"Very sorry to learn that Arun Jaitley is no more . An old friend and a dear colleague will be remembered for his seminal contributions to the polity and as FM of India . As Leader of Opposition he was without match . He always stood steadfastly for his friends and for his party." tweeted Kapil Sibal following the death of former finance minister Arun Jaitley.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Arun Jaitley’s wife and son, and expressed his condolences. Both of them insisted that PM does not cancel his current foreign tour. (ANI)
