Former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Dies at 66

Political Desk, Delhi Magazine: Senior BJP leader and former Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley passed away on Saturday, August 24, 2019, at the age of 66 at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi.

Jaitley had been admitted to AIIMS on August 9 after experiencing breathing difficulties. He was placed in the intensive care unit (ICU), where a team of specialist doctors monitored his condition. His health remained critical, and he had been receiving treatment and life support for several days.

Several senior political leaders visited AIIMS to inquire about his health, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind. Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan also visited the hospital on Saturday morning.

Jaitley had been battling several health problems, including soft-tissue sarcoma. He had also undergone a kidney transplant in 2018.

His last rites were scheduled to be performed at 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 25, 2019, at Nigam Bodh Ghat in New Delhi.

Arun Jaitley’s Life and Political Journey

Arun Jaitley was one of the prominent leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). During his political career, he held several important positions in the Indian government and played a significant role in the country’s economic and legal affairs.

Here is a timeline of some of the major milestones in his life and career.

• December 28, 1952: Born in New Delhi.
• 1973: Graduated from Shri Ram College of Commerce, Delhi.
• 1974: Became president of the Delhi University Students’ Union.
• 1975: Was detained during the Emergency.
• 1977: Earned a law degree from the University of Delhi, began practising law, and became the All India Secretary of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).
• 1980: Joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
• 1990: Appointed Additional Solicitor General of India and was involved in legal proceedings related to the Bofors case.
• 1991: Joined the BJP’s National Executive.
• 1998: Was part of the Indian delegation to the United Nations General Assembly.
• 1999: Served as Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting (Independent Charge) and took charge of the Department of Disinvestment in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.
• 2000: Entered the Rajya Sabha and was given responsibility for the Ministry of Law and Justice.
• 2006: Re-elected to the Rajya Sabha.
• 2009: Became the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and stopped practising law to focus on politics.
• 2012: Elected to the Rajya Sabha for another term.
• 2014: Served as Union Finance Minister and also held additional charge of the Ministry of Defence in the Narendra Modi government.
• 2018: Underwent a kidney transplant.
• August 24, 2019: Passed away at AIIMS in New Delhi at the age of 66.

Arun Jaitley’s contributions to Indian politics, law, and economic policy made him one of the BJP’s most influential leaders. His death was widely mourned by political leaders across the country.