Guwahati, Aug. 24 (PTI): Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has mourned the death of former union minister Arun Jaitley in New Delhi on Saturday.
Sonowal and Jaitley were ministers in Narendra Modi’s first government.
Condoling Jaitley’s death, he described the former union and defence minister as a visonary leader and an outstanding parliamentarian.
Jaitley was the architect of many major reforms in Indian economy and initiatives like demonetization and introduction of GST would always remain a hallmark of his tenure as finance minister of the country, he said.
“I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing away of former union finance minister Arun Jaitley Ji. He was an inspiration and guide and his contribution towards shaping the growth story of new India is unparalleled,” Sonowal said in his condolence message.
“His death is an irreparable loss to the country which marks the end of a glorious chapter in Indian politics,” he said.
The Assam chief minister also said that Jaitley has left his profound mark in defence, corporate affairs, industry and commerce and law ministries during the first Narendra Modi-led union government.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Saturday expressed profound grief over the demise of former Union minister Arun Jaitley, an official statement said.
“On behalf of the state government and the people of Manipur, I express my profound grief at the demise of Arun Jaitley. Words leave me in this moment of sadness,” the chief minister said in his condolence message.
It will be truly difficult to fill the void left by his absence, he said.
“The people of Manipur join me in standing with the family of the great leader and his well-wishers in this hour of grief. I pray that God may shower the bereaved family with the strength to withstand the loss,” the press release quoted the chief minister as saying.
Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb has mourned the death of former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who passed away following a prolonged illness at AIIMS in New Delhi on Saturday.
“Jaitley was a seasoned and efficient politician and a competent lawyer too,” the Chief Minister said in a condolence message.
Deb, also the president of the Tripura unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party, said that as Finance Minister Jaitley had shown a new economic roadmap for the country and worked relentlessly during his tenure as Union Minister.Jaitley, 66, was admitted to AIIMS on August 9 after he complained of breathlessness.
Arunachal Pradesh Governor Brig (Retd) Dr B D Mishra on Saturday mourned the death of former Union minister Arun Jaitley, and said he had worked selflessly and relentlessly for the good of the nation.
Jaitley, 66, died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) where he was undergoing treatment for several weeks.
The nation has lost a great visionary, statesman, outstanding parliamentarian, legal luminary, a towering intellectual and an able administrator, the governor said in his message.
Jaitley was a brilliant orator, a man of impeccable integrity and a great supporter of democratic values, the governor said.
“He has left an indelible mark as the finance minister of the country, placing India as the world’s fastest-growing economy. We shall always cherish his fond memory,” the governor said.
“I join the people of Arunachal Pradesh in conveying our sincere and heartfelt condolence to you and members of the bereaved family and pray to Almighty God for eternal peace for the departed soul,” the Governor added.
The governor in a letter to Sangeeta Jaitley, wife of the former Union minister, said that he was shocked to learn about the sudden and untimely demise of her husband.
Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi has expressed grief over the demise of former Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday.
Describing Jaitley as a “prudent politician”, Mukhi said the country has lost an able leader with his demise.
“The untimely death of Arun Jaitley is a great loss to the country. An architect of the biggest indirect tax reform of the country, Jaitley contributed to the roll-out of Goods and Services Tax in the country”, Mukhi said in his condolence message.
Jaitley, 66, died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi and was undergoing treatment at the hospital since August 9.
He was also a “legal luminary” and had immense expertise on different legal issues especially cases related to taxation and finance, Mukhi said.
Jaitley, a lawyer by profession, had been a key member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Cabinet in the BJP government’s first term.
As a finance minister, Jaitley had managed the post demonitisation period “very professionally”, he said.
Though his death was “premature”, the senior BJP leader left behind a rich legacy which will continue to be a source of inspiration to the young generation, the governor said.
“I pray to almighty for eternal peace of the departed soul. I, at the same time, express my empathy with the bereaved family members at this time,” Mukhi added.
