Political Leaders Pay Tribute to Arun Jaitley on Death Anniversary
On August 24, the seventh death anniversary of former Union Minister Arun Jaitley, political leaders across the spectrum paid tribute to the late BJP stalwart. Union Home Minister Amit Shah remembered Jaitley as "an incisive legal expert, a masterful speaker and an ace administrator," crediting him with executing the government's "game-changing policies." In a post on X, Shah said Jaitley's "enduring legacy will continue to inspire young leaders."
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described Jaitley as "a skilled administrator and an outstanding parliamentarian" with deep knowledge of constitutional and legal matters. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar recalled Jaitley as "a friend & mentor to so many," highlighting his wisdom, warmth, and commitment to public service. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath paid tribute to the former Finance Minister, noting his "contribution to the building of a strong nation."
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta offered floral tributes at the BJP office and declared that Jaitley's life was "an inspiring journey of nation-first politics." In an X post, Gupta recalled his beginnings with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, his struggle against the Emergency, and his effective role in Parliament. She said his decisive contributions as Finance Minister gave "a new direction to the country's economy," and added that "Delhi was his karmabhoomi," with his bond with workers and the people remaining alive in memories.
Delhi BJP President Harsh Malhotra and Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta also offered floral tributes at the BJP office. Malhotra told reporters that Jaitley "rose above party politics and maintained good relations with other parties." Vijender Gupta posted on X that Jaitley's dedication and visionary thinking "will forever guide us all."
A Cricket Connection Remembered
A day before the death anniversary, Jay Shah, Chairperson of the International Cricket Council, visited Rohan Jaitley, President of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA), at his home in a "gesture of respect, remembrance and gratitude" to the late leader.
Arun Jaitley's association with cricket was significant. He served as DDCA president from 1999 to 2013, was vice-president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, and sat on the IPL governing council. He was credited with ending infighting in the DDCA and bringing governance changes. The DDCA's Feroze Shah Kotla Stadium was renamed after him.
His son Rohan Jaitley was elected unopposed as DDCA president in 2023. Under his leadership, the association's finances were turned around: from reserves of Rs 85 lakh and dues of Rs 22 crore, the DDCA now holds a fixed deposit of Rs 100 crore and invested over Rs 70 crore for the 2023 World Cup. Rohan was also instrumental in launching the Delhi Premier League.
A Legacy in Governance
Arun Jaitley, born December 28, 1952, held key portfolios including Finance and Corporate Affairs from 2014 to 2019, and served as Union Finance Minister, Defence Minister, Minister of Corporate Affairs, Minister of Information and Broadcasting, and Minister of Law and Justice. As Finance Minister, he played a central role in implementing the Goods and Services Tax (GST). He passed away at AIIMS on August 24, 2019, at age 66, and was posthumously awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2020.