Former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has passed away on Saturday, August 24, 2019 after being admitted to AIIMS in New Delhi on August 9.

On the day Jaitley was admitted to AIIMS, the hospital had issued a statement saying that he was being given treatment in the ICU under a multidisciplinary team of doctors, and that at that point he was haemodynamically stable. Jaitley’s unfortunate demise marks the end of an extraordinary career that has witnessed him holding incredibly important positions at various levels, both in the government and outside.

In the Narendra Modi-led government, Jaitley was a centrepiece and was the Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting, of Corporate Affairs and held the all-important Ministries of Finance and Defence. He was also leader of the house in the Rajya Sabha since the Modi government came into office and had been a member of the upper house from Gujarat since 2000.

Arun Jaitley’s political career spanned multiple decades and tenures. In fact, his political journey began in New Delhi in student politics, and Jaitley went on to become one of the main youth faces taking the Indira Gandhi regime on during the Emergency. In the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government, Mr Jaitley held the portfolios of Information and Broadcasting while simultaneously holding Independent Charge of the Department of Disinvestment and going on to hold the Ministry of Law, Justice and Company Affairs and then the Ministry of Shipping. 

READ: Arun Jaitely passes away: Amit Shah condoles, calls him family

JAITLEY WAS BATTLING ILLNESS 

Jaitley, 66, had been battling illness and was admitted to AIIMS on August 9th this year. Jaitley was visited by several top leaders of the country since his admission. President Kovind visited AIIMS on the day of his admission to the hospital, PM Modi visited him immediately after his return to the country from Bhutan. Union Minister Home Minister Amit Shah was also present in the hospital on August 11. Dr Harsh Vardhan, Delhi Chief Ministers Arvind Kejriwal, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, as well as senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi had also visited AIIMS to inquire on the former union minister. On the day Mr. Jaitley had been admitted, a number of senior government leaders including PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah had visited him at AIIMS. Vice President Venkaiah Naidu had also gone to AIIMS, on the day after Jaitley's admission.

READ: Arun Jaitley passes away: Rajnath Singh hails his service to India

OPTED OUT OF MODI GOVT 2.0 ON HEALTH GROUNDS 

The senior BJP leader, who held the portfolios of Finance and Corporate Affairs for the entirety of the first Narendra Modi-led NDA government, had earlier opted out of the second Modi government that was sworn-in in May, citing health grounds. He had, however, voiced that he would continue to serve the government and his party in what capacity he could.

Arun Jaitley’s political career spanned multiple decades and tenures. In the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government, Jaitley held the portfolios of Information and Broadcasting while simultaneously holding Independent Charge of the Department of Disinvestment and going on to hold the Ministry of Law, Justice and Company Affairs and then the Ministry of Shipping. 

READ: PM Modi pays tribute to Arun Jaitley, says he was a 'political giant'

In the Narendra Modi-led government, Jaitley came to be a centre-piece and was the Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting, of Corporate Affairs and held the all-important Ministries of Finance and Defence. He was also leader of the house in the Rajya Sabha since the Modi government came into office and had been a member of the upper house from Gujarat since 2000.

READ: Arun Jaitley no more: Congress leaders mourn former Finance Minister

On the demise of Arun Jaitley, the former finance minister of India, Prime Minister Modi who is on a foreign visit condoled his demise and spoke to his family members. In a series of tweet, the prime minister expressed his grief: 

In a series of tweet, Amit Shah expressed what the BJP veteran Arun Jaitley meant to the party and his impeccable contribution to the nation. The Home Minister also canceled his Hyderabad visit midway and is returning to the national capital.

BJP working president JP Nadda paid his condolences to the leader saying that it is a setback to the entire BJP family. He said that he has been guiding the BJP all through these years. He said that his absence in Indian politics cannot be compensated. 

Maharashtra CM Devndra Fadnavis condoles Arun Jaitley's demise:

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani condoles his death: 

Former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will be cremated on Sunday 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. On Sunday 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.

After former union minister Arun Jaitley passed away on Saturday August 24 at AIIMS, his corpse was taken to his residence in Kailash Colony, New Delhhi at around 15:45 hours. He had been facing heath problems since a long time. He had not joined the Modi 2.0 cabinet citing health issues. Announcing his demise, AIIMS stated: “It is with profound grief that we inform about the sad demise of Shri Arun Jaitley, Hon’ble Member of Parliament & Former Finance Minister, Government of India at 12:07 pm on 24th August, 2019."

BJP veteran LK Advani condoles the death of Arun Jaitley. He said that the former union minister will be remembered for his sharp, analytical mind and as a soft-spoken, erudite and warm hearted person.  

CJI Ranjan Gogoi condoles the passing away of Arun Jaitley:

"I am personally, deeply saddened by the passing of Arun Jaitley," the CJI told PTI.Justice Gogoi said on behalf of the country's judiciary: "I express my condolences to his family and pray for the noble soul to rest in peace."

Uttarakhand Government has declared state mourning of a day following demise of Former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, the national flag will fly at half mast. 

Gautam Gambhir tweeted condoling the demise of the BJP leader: Former India opener and BJP member of Parliament, Gautam Gambhir, who was close to Jaitley, said a part of him was gone with his demise.

Former cricketer  Virendra Sehwag said: 

Former cricketer Aakash Chopra said:

Board of Cricket Control in India termed it as a personal loss

BCCI acting president CK Khanna termed it a personal loss. "Our association goes back to our college days in Shri Ram College Of Commerce where we worked together, he as the President, and me as the General Secretary of the College Union. I also had the privilege of inviting and closely working with  him in the Cricket Administration in DDCA and BCCI. His contribution in the field of cricket shall be remembered forever," Khanna said.

SACHIN TENDULKAR DONNED JAITLEY'S ROLE AS CRICKET ADMINISTRATOR

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar's tribute to Arun Jaitley

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and Deputy CM Sushil Modi cancelled their official programme after the sudden demise of the BJP leader.  Sources say Nitish Kumar will travel to Delhi soon. The news of Arun Jaitley came on Saturday noon of August 24, 2019. As per sources, Nitish Kumar and Jaitley knew each other personally. Sources also say that Kumar would visit Arun Jaitley whenever he would go to Delhi. The Bihar CM also announced a two-day state mourning as a form of respect for the senior politician.