Lost a 'valued' friend, says PM Modi; President Kovind expresses grief on Arun Jaitley's death

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!

Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 24, 2019

PM Modi, who is in the UAE on an official tour, said he had an unbreakable bond with Jaitley. As a fiery student leader, he was at the forefront of protecting our democracy during the Emergency. He became a much-liked face of our Party, who could articulate the party programmes and ideology to a wide spectrum of society.

BJP and Arun Jaitley Ji had an unbreakable bond. As a fiery student leader, he was at forefront of protecting our democracy during the Emergency. He became a much liked face of our Party, who could articulate the Party programmes and ideology to a wide spectrum of society.

Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 24, 2019

Also read: Arun Jaitley passes away Live Updates: President Kovind expresses grief; PM Modi calls him political giant

PM, in a series of tweet, remembered the former finance minister and wrote, "Jaitley was full of life, blessed with wit, a great sense of humour and charisma, he was admired by people across all sections of society. He was multi-faceted, having impeccable knowledge about India's Constitution, history, public policy, governance and administration.

Full of life, blessed with wit, a great sense of humour and charisma, Arun Jaitley Ji was admired by people across all sections of society. He was multi-faceted, having impeccable knowledge about Indias Constitution, history, public policy, governance and administration.

Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 24, 2019

Noting that Jaitley held multiple ministerial responsibilities during his long political career, he said it enabled him to contribute towards India's economic growth, strengthening our defence capabilities, creating people-friendly laws and enhancing trade with other nations. PM Modi further added that the former Finance Minister was a political giant, towering intellectual and legal luminary.

During his long political career, Arun Jaitley Ji held multiple ministerial responsibilities, which enabled him to contribute towards Indias economic growth, strengthening our defence capabilities, creating people friendly laws and enhancing trade with other nations.

Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 24, 2019

The Prime minister spoke to the wife and son of Jaitley, who died at AIIMS on Saturday. According to official sources, both Jaitley's wife and son had insisted that the PM should not cancel his foreign tour. "Spoke to his wife Sangeeta Ji as well as son Rohan, and expressed condolence," PM Modi said in his tweet.

President Ramnath Kovind also expressed his grief over the death Jaitley, "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.

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

He further added, "Arun Jaitley possessed a unique ability of discharging the most onerous responsibility with poise, passion and studied understanding. His passing leaves a huge void in our public life and our intellectual ecosystem. Condolences to his family and associates".

Shri Arun Jaitley possessed a unique ability of discharging the most onerous responsibility with poise, passion and studied understanding.

His passing leaves a huge void in our public life and our intellectual ecosystem. Condolences to his family and associates #PresidentKovind

President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 24, 2019