Political leaders cutting across party lines including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal paid tributes to BJP leader and former finance minister Arun Jaitley who passed away aged 66 on Saturday.
AIIMS, where Jaitley had been admitted since August 9, said in a statement that Jaitley passed away at 12:07 pm on Saturday.
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PM Modi calling Jaitley a “political giant” conveyed condolences in a series of tweets. “With the demise of Arun Jaitley Ji, I have lost a valued friend, whom I have had the honour of knowing 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.
Mamata Banerjee, a political rival, said she was saddened by his death.
From President Ram Nath Kovind to now Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharam, tributes poured in on Twitter as the news of Jaitley’s death was announced. Here’s what they said:
Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted:
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called Jaitley’s passing a ‘huge loss to the nation’
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor was reminiscent of their college days, when he first met Jaitley.