The nation bid an emotional farewell to former finance Minister and senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley . He was cremated in the capital at Nigambodh ghat with full state honours . His son Rohan Jaitley did the last rites .
Political leaders across parties were present at the site of the cremation.
Delhi: Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, at Nigambodh Ghat. #ArunJaitley pic.twitter.com/uaFwJYyVyX
— ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2019
Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh were the BJP leaders attending the last rites. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu , BJP patriarch L K Advani were also present.
Rajnath Singh tweeted his tribute
Jaitleyji will always be remembered for pulling the economy out of the gloom and putting it back on the right track.
The BJP will miss Arunji’s presence. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) August 24, 2019
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia too were present.
Earlier , BJP working president JP Nadda, Union ministers Harsh Vardhan, Prakash Javadekar, Piyush Goyal and Anurag Thakur, and Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh also paid their last respects to Jaitley.
Delhi: Former Union Minister and BJP leader, #ArunJaitley cremated with full state honours at Nigambodh Ghat, today. pic.twitter.com/Nj2THkdnPv
— ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2019
“Jaitley’s loss is irreparable and he will always be remembered for his contribution,” Harsh Vardhan said.
The 66-year-old passed away at the AIIMS in New Delhi on Saturday.
He was undergoing treatment at the hospital, where he was admitted on August 9.
Among others who paid their respects are Manipur governor Najma Heptulla, Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani and Yoga Guru Ramdev.
Wrapped in the national flag, Jaitley’s body was brought to the BJP headquarters located on the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg here from his Kailash Colony residence.
BJP workers and mourners queued up in large numbers outside the party headquarters to pay their last respects to the departed leader.
Outside the party office, people chanted Jab tak suraj chand rahega Jaitley tera naam rahega
Tributes to Jaitley poured in from leaders across party lines :
Sharad Pawar, NCP supremo
Deeply saddened by the demise of veteren BJP leader Shri Arun Jaitley. We have lost an astute parliamentarian, avid reader and a compassionate leader. I extend my heartfelt condolence to his family members. May his soul rest in peace.
— Sharad Pawar (@PawarSpeaks) August 24, 2019
Mayawati, Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and BSP supremo
पूर्व केन्द्रीय वित्त/रक्षा मंत्री व बीजेपी के प्रमुख नेता श्री अरुण जेटली के निधन की खबर अति-दुःखद। वे बीमार थे व उनका हालचाल लेने हाल ही में मैं एम्स गयी थी। वे नामी वकील व अच्छे इंसान थे। देश की राजनीति में उनके योगदान को भुलाया नहीं जा सकेगा। उनके परिवार के प्रति गहरी संवेदना
— Mayawati (@Mayawati) August 24, 2019
Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal Chief Minister
Extremely saddened at the passing away of Arun Jaitley Ji, after a battle bravely borne. An outstanding Parliamentarian & a brilliant lawyer, appreciated across parties. His contribution to Indian polity will be remembered. My condolences to his wife, children, friends & admirers
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) August 24, 2019
Naveen Patnaik, Odisha Chief Minister
Deeply saddened to hear about passing away of former Union Minister Arun Jaitley ji. He was a distinguished lawyer, parliamentarian and an erudite person. His contribution to governance has been profound. Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, friends and followers.
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) August 24, 2019
Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi Chief Minister
Untimely demise of former FM and senior leader Sh Arun Jaitley ji is a huge loss to the nation. A legal luminary and an experienced political leader known for his governance skills will be missed by the country. Thoughts and prayers with his family in this moment of grief. RIP
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) August 24, 2019
