Arun Jaitley writes to PM, opts out of next cabinet

Putting to rest all speculations about his new role in the second Modi government, senior BJP leader and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, has formally written to Prime Minister Modi requesting that he be not given any ministerial responsibility on account of his ill-health.

“After the campaign had concluded and you were leaving for Kedarnath… I had orally informed you that even though I was able to discharge the responsibilities assigned to me during the campaign. I would in future, for some time, like to keep away from any responsibility. This will enable me to concentrate on my treatment and health,” the letter stated.

The letter also states that Jaitley is available for any informal party work. That would mean he would be deployed to fend media queries in times of crisis.

Even though Piyush Goyal has stood in for Arun Jaitley during NDA-I whenever the latter was down with health-related issues, it remains to be seen if he would be made a full-time finance minister in NDA-II.