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Arun Jaitley, BJP’s suave face, passes away; leaders across party lines pay tribute

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Arun Jaitley

BJP stalwart and former Union minister Arun Jaitley died at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) today (Saturday, Aug 24). He died at 12.07 pm, according to a press release issued by AIIMS.

“It is with profound grief that we inform about the sad demise of Shri Arun Jaitley… Shri Arun Jaitley was admitted in AIIMS, New Delhi on 09/08/2019 and was treated by a multidisciplinary team of senior doctors,” said AIIMS in a statement.

AIIMS had not issued a bulletin on Jaitley’s health after August 10.

Several national leaders including President Ram Nath Kovind, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, veteran BJP leader LK Advani, ministers Smriti Irani, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and others had visited him in hospital.

Jaitley’s body will be taken to his Kailash Colony home from AIIMS. On Sunday morning, it will be taken to the BJP headquarters. He will be cremated on Sunday afternoon at the NigambodhGhat, party leader Sudhanshu Mittal told PTI.

Jaitley had been having serious health issues for quite some time. He had undergone a renal transplant on May 14 last year at AIIMS with Railways Minister Piyush Goyal filling in for him in the finance ministry at that time.

Jaitley, who had stopped attending office since early April last year, was back in the finance ministry on August 23, 2018.

In September 2014, he underwent bariatric surgery to correct the weight he had gained because of a long-standing diabetic condition.

Jaitley did not contest the 2019 Lok Sabha election presumably because of his ill-health.

After the Narendra Modi-led government returned to power in May, Jaitley told Modi he would not be part of the new government. Jaitley said he had faced some “serious health challenges” in the last 18 months.

A lawyer by profession, Jaitley was the finance minister in the Narendra Modi-led government from 2014 to 2019, and briefly held the defence portfolio in 2017. He was unable to present the Union Budget in February 2019 as he was away in the United States for treatment of a form of cancer.

Arun Jaitley was leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha from 2009 to 2014. In Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government between 1999 and 2004, he held multiple cabinet portfolios including commerce, and law and justice.

He was often the BJP’s spokesperson during major events and crises, including the air strikes on Balakot in February. During his term as finance minister, Jaitley piloted multiple legislations including the massive demonetisation and Goods and Services Tax exercises.

He studied law and was a senior advocate until he stopped practising in 2009 due to his political duties. As a student, he was a member of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad.

Jaitley’s urbane and articulate manner had helped him win friends across party lines and industry.

Several leaders both from the BJP and Opposition parties expressed their condolences after Jaitley died.

President Ram Nath Kovind said that Jaitley had the unique ability to carry out the “most onerous responsibilities with poise, passion and studied understanding”. “His passing leaves a huge void in our public life and our intellectual ecosystem,” Kovind said. “Condolences to his family and associates.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in the UAE, said Jaitley was a “political giant, towering intellectual and legal luminary.”

“Arun Jaitley Ji was a political giant, towering intellectual and legal luminary. He was an articulate leader who made a lasting contribution to India. His passing away is very saddening. Spoke to his wife Sangeeta Ji as well as son Rohan, and expressed condolences. Om Shanti,” PM Modi tweeted.

Home Minister Amit Shah said Arun Jaitley had guided him for years. “Deeply saddened by Arun Jaitley’s death. His death is a personal loss for me. I have not just lost a senior party colleague but also a member of my family, who guided me for several years,” Mr Shah tweeted.

Jaitley’s long-time colleague and senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh said he will always be remembered for “pulling the economy out of the gloom and putting it back on the right track.”

Nirmala Sitharaman, who succeeded Jaitley as the Finance Minister, said Jaitley’s “intelligence, sagacity, astuteness have no match.”

The Congress also offered condolences to the BJP leader’s family and said that “thoughts and prayers are with them in this time of grief”.

Sonia Gandhi said Jaitley’s contributions to public life will be remembered forever. Former President Pranab Mukherjee said Jaitley was “a leader with deep intellect and knowledge, and a voice of reason”.

Congress leaders Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy tweeted their tributes as well.

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PM Modi says decline in TB incidence outcome of India’s dedication, innovation efforts

He acknowledged the dedicated healthcare workers of the Health Ministry, recognising their crucial role and commitment in the ongoing battle against tuberculosis.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that the decrease in tuberculosis (TB) incidence is a result of India’s dedicated and innovative efforts, asserting that the nation will continue to strive for a TB-free India through collective action.

His comments followed a statement from Health Minister J.P. Nadda, who highlighted that the World Health Organization (WHO) has acknowledged India’s “remarkable” progress, noting a 17.7% reduction in TB cases from 2015 to 2023—more than double the global decrease of 8.3%.

In a post on X, Modi praised the achievements by stating, “Commendable progress! The decline in TB incidence is an outcome of India’s dedicated and innovative efforts.” He reiterated the commitment to pursuing a TB-free India with a united approach.

BJP president and Union Health Minister JP Nadda also mentioned on Saturday that, “Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, our government has expanded and strengthened the National TB Elimination Programme,” mentioning initiatives like the Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana, which provides essential nutritional support to TB patients, as well as the introduction of the BPALM regimen, a new treatment for Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis.

He acknowledged the dedicated healthcare workers of the Health Ministry, recognising their crucial role and commitment in the ongoing battle against tuberculosis.

“I also acknowledge the tireless efforts of the Health Ministry’s dedicated healthcare workers, whose unwavering commitment and hard work play a crucial role in this fight against tuberculosis,” Nadda said.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India has recorded a decline of 17.7 percent in TB incidence from 2015 to 2023. This rate is more than double the global decline of 8.3 per cent.

In a post on X on Saturday, Nadda emphasised that ṭhis acknowledgment reflects India’s transformative approach to TB care and control. He mentioned that the government has expanded and strengthened the National TB Elimination Programme by taking key initiatives such as the Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana to provide essential nutritional support to TB patients.

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In Wayanad, Rahul Gandhi says protecting Constitution is India’s primary battle

He emphasised that such a mindset represents the kind of politics needed in India—not one of animosity but one of love and kindness.

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Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asserted on Sunday that the primary struggle in the country today is to safeguard and preserve the Constitution. He emphasised that the Constitution was crafted not from hatred but with humility and affection.

“The primary struggle taking place is for our Constitution. The greatness and protection we enjoy stem from it,” he stated during a corner meeting in Mananthavady, part of the campaign for his sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who is contesting the Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll.

Rahul explained that the Constitution was not born from anger or animosity but enacted by those who battled colonial rule, endured suffering, and spent many years in prison. They created the Constitution with love and humility, he added.

The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha emphasised that this struggle represents a fight between love and hatred. “It is a fight between confidence and insecurity. To prevail in this battle, we must eliminate anger and hatred from our hearts and replace them with love, humility, and compassion,” he added.

The former Congress president also reflected on his sister’s compassionate actions, sharing a poignant memory. “She is someone who embraced the girl implicated in my father’s assassination. When she returned from meeting Nalini, she expressed her sorrow for her,” he recalled.

He emphasised that such a mindset represents the kind of politics needed in India—not one of animosity but one of love and kindness.

During her campaign, Priyanka Gandhi took the opportunity to criticise the central government, claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is solely serving the interests of large business magnates.

“The Modi government prioritises his wealthy friends. Its agenda does not focus on improving your quality of life, creating jobs for educated youth, or enhancing healthcare and education,” she contended.

Priyanka continued her campaign activities by engaging in public and corner meetings alongside Rahul in the hilly constituency.

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Jammu & Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah condemns grenade attack near Sunday market in Srinagar

According to reports, at least six people were injured when terrorists threw a grenade in a crowded flea market in the heart of the city.

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Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on November 3 condemned the grenade attack near a busy Sunday market in Srinagar and said there could be no justification for targeting innocent civilians.

According to reports, at least six people were injured when terrorists threw a grenade in a crowded flea market in the heart of the city. The injured have been shifted to Shri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital (SMHS).

In a post on X, Abdullah said the last few days have been dominated by headlines of attacks and encounters in parts of the valley. “Today’s news of a grenade attack on innocent shoppers at the ‘Sunday market’ in Srinagar is deeply disturbing,” he added.

The security apparatus must do everything possible to end this spurt of attacks at the earliest so that people can go about their lives without any fear, the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister said.

The incident took place near the heavily guarded Tourist Reception Centre (TRC), occurring one day following the elimination of a top Pakistani commander of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) by security forces in the Khanyar locality of downtown Srinagar.

Authorities have dispatched police and paramilitary forces to the scene to evacuate the injured and initiate a search operation for the terrorists. The explosion triggered panic in the area, causing shoppers to scramble for cover.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Ravinder Sharma said that this was a conspiracy to disturb the atmosphere in the valley. Such incidents have increased ever since elections have been held and the new government has been formed, he claimed. He prayed for the well-being of those injured in the attack.

Calling for strict actions, the Congress leader said such attacks prove that the militancy is still there in the valley, adding the central government has the entire law and order and security apparatus in its hand.

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