‘His Contribution To Public Life Will Forever Be Remembered,’ Sonia Gandhi Condoles Jaitley’s Death

Condoling his death, Sonia Gandhi said that Jaitley had a long innings as a public figure, Parliamentarian, and a minister.

New Delhi: Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi on Saturday condoled the death of former finance minister Arun Jaitley who passed away at the age of 66 after battling a prolonged illness, and expressed deep pain and distress at his demise. Condoling his death, she said Jaitley had a long innings as a public figure, Parliamentarian, and Minister. His contribution to public life will forever be remembered, she said. A statement issued by her office read “Congress President Sonia Gandhi has expressed deep pain and distress at the untimely passing away of Shri Arun Jaitley. Jaitley, 66, who died in AIIMS at 12.07 pm was undergoing treatment at the hospital for a few weeks. He was admitted there on August 9. Other Congress leaders also condoled the death of former finance minister, with the party saying it was deeply saddened to hear about his demise. “We are deeply saddened to hear the passing of Shri Arun Jaitley. Our condolences to his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them in this time of grief," the Congress Party said. The party's chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, "Saddened to know about the demise of Shri Arun Jaitley. My deepest condolences to his family. An astute parliamentarian, he'll always be remembered. May his soul Rest in Peace." Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel said, "Extremely saddened to learn about the demise of Arun ji. In him the nation has a lost an articulate leader and an excellent human being."

We are deeply saddened to hear the passing of Shri Arun Jaitley. Our condolences to his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them in this time of grief. pic.twitter.com/7Tk5pf9edw

— Congress (@INCIndia) August 24, 2019

Saddened to know about the demise of Shri Arun Jaitley.

My deepest condolences to his family. An astute parliamentarian, he’ll always be remembered. May his soul Rest in Peace. pic.twitter.com/eh3j1Fviqq — Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) August 24, 2019

Noted lawyer and former union minister Kapil Sibal said he has lost an old friend and a dear colleague in Jaitley. "Very sorry to learn that Arun Jaitley is no more . An old friend and a dear colleague will be remembered for his seminal contributions to the polity and as FM of India . As Leader of Opposition he was without match . He always stood steadfastly for his friends and for his party," he said.

Very sorry to learn that Arun Jaitley is no more . An old friend and a dear colleague will be remembered for his seminal contributions to the polity and as FM of India . As Leader of Opposition he was without match . He always stood steadfastly for his friends and for his party .

— Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) August 24, 2019

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said Jaitley's death is a great loss for the country. "Deeply saddened by the tragic passing of my friend Delhi Univ senior Arun Jaitley. We first met when he was at DUSU and I was President of St Stephen's College Union. Despite political differences we enjoyed a healthy mutual respect and debated his Budget often in LS. A great loss for India," he tweeted.

Deeply saddened by the tragic passing of my friend&DelhiUniv senior @arunjaitley⁩. We first met when he was at DUSU& I was President of StStephen’sCollegeUnion. Despite political differences we enjoyed a healthy mutual respect&debated his Budget often in LS. A great loss4India pic.twitter.com/RzxO1V6NTV

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) August 24, 2019