Prez, Vice Prez, PM, leaders condole Arun Jaitley's demise

President Ram Nath Kovind, on Saturday (August 24), led the nation in condoling the death of former union minister and senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley, who breathed his last at AIIMS due to prolonged illness.

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

On Twitter, Kovind said that he was “extremely saddened by the passing of Shri Arun Jaitley after battling a long illness with fortitude and dignity.”

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu expressed his condolences and said that Jaitley’s death was an irreparable loss for the country and for him too. “He was a powerful intellectual, an able administrator and a man of impeccable integrity,” he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called him an “articulate leader” who made a lasting contribution to India.

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

He added that Jaitley had been multi-faceted, and had impeccable knowledge about India’s Constitution, history, public policy, governance and administration.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated on Twitter that Jaitley’s “untimely demise” was a personal loss for him, and that he had lost “not only a senior leader of the organization but also an integral member of the family, whose support and guidance” he had been receiving for years.

I am deeply saddened by the demise of Shri Arun Jaitley ji. 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.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 24, 2019

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman referred to Jaitley on Twitter as “a mentor to many, a guide and a moral support and strength. She also said that he was a “fine, large-hearted person.”

No words can describe the loss of Shri @arunjaitley. A mentor to many of us, a guide and a moral support and strength. Have learnt so much from him. A fine large-hearted person. Always ready to help anyone/everyone. His intelligence, sagacity, astuteness have no match.

— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) August 24, 2019

Party chief Sonia Gandhi expressed pain and distress at the passing away of Jaitley, saying his contributions to public life will be remembered forever. She said that Jaitley had a long innings as a public figure, parliamentarian, and minister and his contributions to public life will forever be remembered.

Union Cabinet Minister for Textiles Smriti Irani paid tribute to Jaitley on Twitter and called him an “orator par excellence”. She also stated that he was a “stalwart who paid tribute to his simple beginnings by helping those with meagre means.”

A stalwart who paid tribute to his simple beginnings by helping those with meagre means . Orator par excellence, legal luminary @arunjaitley ji served the Nation and sangathan with dedication and zeal. My tributes to him. Condolences to loved ones. Om Shanti.

— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) August 24, 2019

Virender Sehwag took to Twitter as well to speak about his personal experiences regarding Arun Jaitley and said, “Apart from having served greatly in public life, he (Arun Jaitley) played a huge role in many players from Delhi getting an opportunity to represent India.”

“There was a time when not many players from Delhi got a chance at the highest level. But under his leadership at the DDCA, many players including me got a chance to represent India.”

Pained at the passing away of #ArunJaitley ji. Apart from having served greatly in public life , he played a huge role in many players from Delhi getting an opportunity to represent India. There was a time when not many players from Delhi got a chance at the highest level ..cont

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 24, 2019

Apart from these leaders, railways minister Piyush Goyal, defence minister Rajnath Singh, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa, and many others expressed their grief over Jaitley’s death.