Published on August 24th, 2019
Arun Jaitley, former Finance Minister and BJP stalwart, has died at Delhi’s AIIMS hospital, days after he was admitted following complaints of breathlessness. He was 66.
Delhi: Former Union Minister and Senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley passes away at AIIMS. pic.twitter.com/pmr4xiyqYV
— ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2019
A senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and a member of the Upper House of Parliament since 2000, Jaitley has held several ministerial posts since 1999.
He had served as Finance Minister, Defence Minister, Trade Minister and Law Minister in successive National Democratic Alliance (NDA) governments led by the BJP.
Remembering the life and times of Sh. Arun Jaitely, here are some lesser known facts about Arun Jaitely.
1. Arun Jaitley was born to a family of lawyers, social activists and philanthropists. His father, Maharaj Kishen Jaitley, was also a lawyer.
2. Mr. Jaitley did his schooling from the St. Xavier’s School (1957-69). He was a graduate from the Shree Ram College of Commerce and was an active debater and President of the student union of the college. Later he did LL.B. from the University of Delhi (1973-77).
3. Arun Jaitley was the student leader of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in Delhi University Campus and later became the President of the University Students’ Union in 1974.
4. Arun Jaitley was among the leaders who were jailed by the Indira Gandhi government during the Emergency. He was a student leader at the time.
5. Arun Jaitley was appointed as the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting for the first time soon after the then Atal Bihari Vajpayee government came to power and also the Minister of State for Disinvestment (Independent Charge). He led India in talks at WTO (World Trade Organization) and increased greater access towards emerging markets.
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6. Arun Jaitley served as the General Secretary of the BJP in 2002 and took the same position later on in 2004.
7. He was the Vice President of the BCCI but resigned after the IPL spot-fixing scandal.
8. Between 2009 and 2014, when the BJP sat in the Opposition benches, Arun Jaitley served as the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha.
9. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Arun Jaitley had unsuccessfully contested from Amritsar constituency, losing to the Congress party’s Amarinder Singh.
10. In 2018, Arun Jaitley underwent a kidney transplant surgery, following which he was put under isolation. Four years earlier, in 2014, Arun Jaitley underwent a bariatric surgery to address the excess weight he had gained due to diabetes.
Tributes And Condolence Messages Pour In On Twitter
Extremely saddened by the passing of Shri Arun Jaitley after battling a long illness with fortitude and dignity. A brilliant lawyer, a seasoned parliamentarian, and a distinguished Minister, he contributed immensely to nation building.
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 24, 2019
Arun Jaitley Ji was a political giant, towering intellectual and legal luminary. He was an articulate leader who made a lasting contribution to India. His passing away is very saddening. Spoke to his wife Sangeeta Ji as well as son Rohan, and expressed condolences. Om Shanti.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 24, 2019
अरुण जेटली जी के निधन से अत्यंत दुःखी हूँ, जेटली जी का जाना मेरे लिये एक व्यक्तिगत क्षति है।
उनके रूप में मैंने न सिर्फ संगठन का एक वरिष्ठ नेता खोया है बल्कि परिवार का एक ऐसा अभिन्न सदस्य भी खोया है जिनका साथ और मार्गदर्शन मुझे वर्षो तक प्राप्त होता रहा।
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 24, 2019
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.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) August 24, 2019
Deeply saddened by the tragic passing of my friend&DelhiUniv senior @arunjaitley. We first met when he was at DUSU& I was President of StStephen’sCollegeUnion. Despite political differences we enjoyed a healthy mutual respect&debated his Budget often in LS. A great loss4India pic.twitter.com/RzxO1V6NTV
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) August 24, 2019
श्री अरुण जेटली जी एक कुशल वक़्ता, सफल अधिवक्ता और सौम्य राजनीतिज्ञ के रूप में सदैव स्मरणीय रहेंगे. विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि! ईश्वर उनकी आत्मा को शांति प्रदान करे.
शोकाकुल परिजनों के प्रति हार्दिक संवेदना.
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) August 24, 2019
RIP #ArunJaitley Ji.. My sincere condolences to your family and loved ones 🙏
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) August 24, 2019
Sadly what remains is only memories.I was in #AtalBihariVajpayee cabinet,dear friend #ArunJaitley was colleague His invaluable contribution in several diverse sectors,government,parliament,legal fraternity,politics,public life is now unfortunately memory.Incredible contribution pic.twitter.com/2rm1DvgOJ0
— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 24, 2019
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 & its people in this time of deep grief.#ArunJaitley pic.twitter.com/QiHmupN0Wz
— Alexandre Ziegler (@FranceinIndia) August 24, 2019
Met Shri #ArunJaitley Ji almost 20 years back for the first time & have been his admirer ever since.
His demise is a huge loss for our nation.
Will be truly missed.
My heartfelt condolences to the family. 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/XsBXwQnpj0— Anil Kapoor (@AnilKapoor) August 24, 2019
saddened by the passing away of mr @arunjaitley ji. A great n dynamic leader. U will b missed sir. RIP #arunjaitley 🙏 pic.twitter.com/eBbGH0NOjr
— Kapil Sharma (@KapilSharmaK9) August 24, 2019
Saddened to learn the news of Arun Jaitley ji’s passing away. He was a very kind soul.
Rest in Peace.🙏 #ArunJaitley— Adnan Sami (@AdnanSamiLive) August 24, 2019
