New Delhi: Less than three weeks ago, Arun Jaitley had condoled Sushma Swaraj's death. Her demise on August 6 had "saddened, pained & broken" Jaitley and about which he had expressed on Twitter. Jaitley and Sushma were active politicians from the pre-Modi era but made a comfortable transition into the government where Narendra Modi and Amit Shah have been at the helm of affairs. 


"Saddened, pained & broken on demise of Sushmaji. She was one of the most outstanding politicians in the Present Era. She distinguished in all positions. She held Senior Positions with the Party, NDA Govt. & while in opposition. She leaves behind a void which is difficult to fill," Jaitley had tweeted two days before he was admitted to AIIMS.


Unlike many, they comfortably fitted in Modi's working style and were soon considered to be the two best ministers in the Prime Minister's cabinet. In that way, Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj shared a personal bond as well.

So the sudden news of Sushma Swaraj's demise, made an ailing Jaitley tweet his second last tweet of his life where he said: "She was one of the most outstanding politicians in the present era. She distinguished in all positions. She held senior positions with the party, NDA government and while in opposition. She leaves behind a void which is difficult to fill."

Ironically, Jaitley himself has left a void in the BJP that will be equally tough to fill, considering the finesse with which he could reach out to the Opposition.

He was ill for a long time. In May, Jaitley was admitted in AIIMS and had undergone a renal transplant on May 14, 2014. In September 2014, he underwent bariatric surgery.

(With additional information from IANS)