Arun Jaitley passes away

BJP stalwart and former finance minister Arun Jaitley died on Saturday at AIIMS in New Delhi. Jaitley was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here on August 9 and was treated by a multi-disciplinary team of senior doctors. A 66 years old Jaitley, a lawyer by profession, had been a key member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Cabinet in the BJP government's first term. He held the finance and defence portfolios, and often acted as the chief troubleshooter of the government. Jaitley did not contest the 2019 Lok Sabha election, because of his ill-health. President Ram Nath Kovind said he is extremely saddened by the death of Arun Jaitley. President Kovind said Arun Jaitley was a brilliant lawyer and seasoned parliamentarian. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Arun Jaitley was a "political giant" and a towering intellectual.  Passing away of Arun Jaitley is very saddening.