Chief Ministers of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh on Saturday condoled the death of former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley terming it as a great loss to the nation.
Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh who had defeated Jaitley in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from the Amritsar seat, expressed grief over the death of the former finance minister.
"Sad to hear that former Union Minister Arun Jaitley ji has passed away. My thoughts are with his family in this time of grief. May his soul rest in peace," Capt Amarinder said.
His Haryana counterpart Manohar Lal Khattar expressed sorrow over the death of Jaitley saying the former finance minister's death has left a void in Indian politics which cannot be filled in a long time, he said.
In a condolence message, Khattar said that he is saddened and pained on the demise. He was a great leader, orator, statesman and more than anything a true son of India. An era has ended. The demise of Mr Jaitley is an irreparable loss to BJP and Indian politics, he added. Khattar conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed to the Almighty that the departed soul might rest in peace.
Punjab Governor and UT Administrator VP Singh Badnore expressed profound grief over the demise of Arun Jaitley. In his condolence message, the Governor said in his death, the nation has lost a distinguished leader, prolific orator, able Administrator and a legal luminary. He Jaitley possessed rare and exceptional qualities of head and heart, said the Governor.
"His contribution as the India's Finance Minister was immense and unforgettable especially the economic reforms that took place during his tenure as Finance Minister. His committed democratic attitude and dedication to the well-being of the people would be always remembered," the Governor said in his message.
Meanwhile, Himachal Governor Kalraj Mishra and Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur have expressed deep grief over the demise of the former Finance Minister.
The Governor said that Arun Jaitley was an intellectual and determined leader, excellent administrator and a political giant who made a lasting contribution to the country. He will always be remembered for his visionary leadership and his services to the country. As a Finance Minister, he took several important decisions for welfare of the people of the country.
In his condolence message, the Chief Minister said that Arun Jaitley served the nation in several capacities and was an asset to the government and the party organisation. He said that knowledge and articulation won him several friends. It was during his tenure as Finance Minister that the nation took bold decisions like demonetisation and implementation of GST. Thakur said that Shri Jaitley was a powerful orator and for many years he was the BJP's lead speaker in the Rajya Sabha. “I am deeply saddened by the untimely demise of Arun Jaitley and have no words to describe the sense of grief and sadness”, said that Chief Minister.
The members of the Himachal Cabinet Mahender Singh, Suresh Bhardwaj, Sarveen Chaudhary, Dr. Ram Lal Markanda, Vipin Singh Parmar, Virender Kanwar, Bikram Singh, Govind Singh Thakur and Rajiv Saizal have also expressed their deep condolences on the demise of Arun Jaitley.
Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal remembered him as a "distinguished parliamentarian and visionary".
"Arun Jaitley ji's passing has left a void for all of us. A distinguished parliamentarian and visionary, Jaitley Ji won people's respect by his unflinching efforts for public welfare & nation building. May Gurusahib grant peace to the departed soul & strength to the family," Badal tweeted.
Chandigarh MP Kirron Kher also expressed her grief. "So tragic. Such a great loss to the nation. Arun Jaitley ji is no more. My condolences to his family. RIP dear Arunji," Kher said in her tweet.
"Such a brilliant speaker, a true statesman, a gentleman in politics. I can't imagine Parliament without him. A great loss," she further tweeted.
