Transcending ideological divide, top leaders from the political spectrum paid rich tributes to former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who died at the AIIMS here on Saturday. The senior BJP leader breathed his last at AIIMS, where he was admitted on August 9 and was treated by a multidisciplinary team of senior officers. He was 66.
In his condolence message, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he has lost a valued friend, whom he had known 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!” Modi said in a series of tweets.
Stating that Jaitley and the BJP had an unbreakable bond, Modi said “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.”
President Ram Nath Kovind also condoled the death and said he was extremely saddened. “A brilliant lawyer, a seasoned parliamentarian, and a distinguished Minister, he contributed immensely to nation building,” the President said.
“Shri Arun Jaitley possessed a unique ability of discharging the most onerous responsibility with poise, passion and studied understanding. His passing leaves a huge void in our public life and our intellectual ecosystem. Condolences to his family and associates,” Kovind said.
Stating that Jaitley as “a long time dear friend and one of my closest associates”, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said he was deeply shocked to learn about his demise. “His death is an irreparable loss to the nation and a personal loss to me. I have no words to express my grief,” he said.
BJP chief and Union Home Minister Amit Shah said Jaitley’s death was a personal loss for him. “I am deeply saddened by the death of Arun Jaitley. His untimely demise is a personal loss for me. I have lost not only a senior leader of the organization but also an integral member of the family whose support and guidance I have been receiving for years,” Shah tweeted.
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.”
BJP veteran L K Advani fondly remembered Jaitley as a man with a deeply analytical mind who the party depended on for finding solutions to complex issues. “A dedicated party worker for decades, he was someone who was inducted into the BJP core team when I was Party President and he soon rose to become one of the most prominent leaders of the party,” Advani said in a statement.
BJP’s working president JP Nadda recalled Jaitley’s fiery speeches in Parliament and said that the senior leader’s smiling face as he dealt with tough situations will always remain with the partymen.
“His beliefs will always be our guide. The demise of Arun Jaitley has created a vacuum in Indian politics which can never be filled. With responsibilities of both the party and the government, Arunji has always been dedicated to the service of the nation. Be it strengthening the Indian economy or its defence, his role in placing India in the front row in the world is incomparable,” said Nadda.
BJP ally and Union minister Ramvilas Paswan remembered him as one of the tallest leaders and also a fine human being. Jaitley was also a reliable troubleshooter for the BJP, he said, recalling his contribution during the first BJP-led NDA government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
The Congress said, “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. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh described him as an eminent lawyer, an excellent orator, a very good administrator and an outstanding parliamentarian.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi expressed deep pain and distress at the passing away of Jaitley. Jaitley had a long innings as a public figure, parliamentarian and minister and his contributions to public life will forever be remembered, she said.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called Jaitley’s demise a huge loss for the nation. “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,” Kejriwal said.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, “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,” Banerjee said.
Former president Pranab Mukherjee said he had visited him a day back and had prayed for his speedy recovery. “He was a leader with deep intellect and knowledge, and a voice of reason. He will be dearly missed. My prayers with his family, friends and admirers,” Mukherjee said.
Chief Ministers of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab as also Lt Governors of Puducherry and Governors of Jammu amd Kashmir, Chhattisgarh, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh also condoled Jaitley’s death.