Maharashtra Governor CH Vidyasagar Rao on Saturday joined Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and NCP founder-president Sharad Pawar in mourning the death of Arun Jaitley, as he described him as “towering statesman, legal luminary, brilliant Parliamentarian and an outstanding Union Minister”.
In his condolence message, Rao said “ Arun Jaitley was one of the towering statesmen, legal luminary, brilliant Parliamentarian and an outstanding Union Minister who dominated the national political scenario for nearly three decades. A gifted orator, Jaitely was an asset for the nation”
Terming the Union Minister of Finance, Corporate Affairs, Commerce and other portfolios, Rao said: “He created benchmarks with his work and took several path-breaking decisions to empower the common man, industry, businesses and other stakeholders. I had the privilege of working as his deputy in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in the Government led by late Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He was very supportive and articulate. His demise is a great loss for the entire nation”.
Chier Minister Fadnavis tweeted: “Shocked and deeply pained to know about our great leader Arun Jaitley ji. It is more painful as we lost another great leader after Sushma Swaraj ji in just a few days. My deepest condolences to his family, friends and crores of @BJP4India Karyakartas. This is my personal loss too!”.
“In spite of facing difficulties & health issues, he was actively participating in @BJP4India meetings on almost occasions. He will be remembered for his contribution as Minister for Finance, Defence, Information & Broadcasting, Law & Justice & also as leader of Opposition.
“A great student leader, crusader against emergency and Advocate of civil rights, he was one of finest lawyers and a strong fighter... Arun Jaitley ji !!! With many abilities & capabilities, we have seen him extensively campaigning via blogs almost every day during 2019 elections,” Fadnavis said.
“His contribution for rolling out of GST was immense and this herculean couldn’t be done without a leader like Jaitley ji. My Heartfelt tributes.. You will keep inspiring us for ever,” the chief minister said.
Mourning the death of Jaitley, NCP founder-president Sharad Pawar said: “Deeply saddened by the demise of veteran BJP leader Arun Jaitley. We have lost an astute parliamentarian, avid reader and a compassionate leader. I extend my heartfelt condolence to his family members. May his soul rest in peace”.
Describing Jaitley’s demise as “a personal loss”, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said that the former was a “bold” and “fearless” leader on the national political landscape. “He was one of the leaders who always wanted relations between the Shiv Sena-BJP to be strong… He was one of the pillars of the NDA and left an indelible mark despite a short life-span,” Uddhav said.
Describing Jaitley as as “an old friend and a guide to the society” whose absence will be truly missed, actort-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha tweeted: Deeply pained & anguished on the sad demise of our old friend, friend & guide of the society, veteran stalwart leader #ArunJaitley. The whole nation grieves his loss”.