Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday announced that a statue of former Finance Minister and senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley, who passed away on August 24, will be installed in the state. The Bihar CM made the announcement at an event organised at S K Memorial hall to pay tributes to the veteran leader. Speaking at the event, Nitish Kumar also announced that Arun Jaitley's birth anniversary will be celebrated as a state function every year as a mark of respect to the departed leader. At the event, Union Minister and LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan, Bihar Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi, marked their presence along with an array of Bihar ministers to pay their tribute to the former Union Minister.

Bihar CM announces statue for Arun Jaitely

Announcing a statue of the departed leader, Nitish Kumar regarded Arun Jaitley as a man of amazing talents who successfully and efficiently discharged his duties as a minister both in Atal government and Modi government. He also spoke about his close association with the former Finance Minister. Nitish Kumar said that he had a personal association with Arun Jailey since 1998 when he got the opportunity to work in Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. Expressing sadness over the demise of the former Union Minister, the Bihar CM said: "I am deeply hurt with passing away of Arun Jaitley jee."

READ | PM Narendra Modi pays respects to late Arun Jaitley, meets his family

Nitish Kumar also recalled contributions made by Arun Jaitley during Bihar assembly elections held in February and November 2005 when he (Jaitley) was Bihar BJP in-charge. Speaking in the matter, the Bihar CM asserted that his contributions can not be forgotten. Nitish Kumar also shared how Arun Jaitley cooperated and helped for the development of the state, saying that though Jaitley was not from Bihar but he had special liking for the state. 

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DDCA pays tribute to former Union Minister

Earlier on Tuesday, Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) announced to rechristen Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium as Arun Jaitley Stadium in the memory of its former president and senior BJP leader. The renaming will take place on September 12 at a function where a stand at the Feroz Shah Kotla will be named after India captain Virat Kohli as announced earlier. DDCA also issued a clarification saying that the stadium will be named as Arun Jaitley Stadium, but the ground will continue to be called the Feroz Shah Kotla.

READ | Delhi's Feroz Shah Kotla to be named Arun Jaitley Stadium as a tribute

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(With PTI inputs)