Arun Jaitley has left a strong footprint behind, says Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath

Kamal Nath remembered that Arun Jaitley and he knew each other since the days both were student leaders. "There had been several occasions when we sat together and discussed important political issues. He used to seek my advice on several issues. The best part of his personality was that he had friends in all political parties and he maintained that friendship till his last breath," he said.

Jaitley has left a strong footprint behind, Nath said. "He has a carved a unique position for himself in Indian politics through his works in the field of law and economy. There are very few people who have this kind of stellar achievement in so many fields. It’s an irreparable loss," Nath said.

'Took step after step of public life' with Arun Jaitley, Modi says during address to Indian diaspora in Bahrain

While addressing the Indian diaspora in Bahrain, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "At this moment, I am standing before you with deep pain in my heart. From student life, the friend with whom step after step of public life was taken, the political journey was undertaken. Staying connected with each other at every moment, facing struggles together, dreaming together and working for realisation of dreams, such a long journey was done with that friend Arun Jaitley, India's former defence minister, finance minister, he passed away today."

Arun Jaitley could make complex issues easier,says former BJP Ramen Deka

Assam BJP leader Ramen Deka, who was an MP from Mangaldoi Lok Sabha constituency said he knew Arun Jaitley since 1972, when he was the leader of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad in Delhi. "Both of us were involved in the JP movement and we would frequently attend the meetings of the movement. After the movement was over, I joined the Janata Party and Arun Jaitley began law practice in Delhi," Deka said.

"One of the most striking features of Jaitley ji was his ability to explain most difficult legal propositions in a manner which everyone can understand. This not only helped us understand legal aspects better but also helped the Bharatiya Janata Party in putting across it’s point successfully in the parliament," he remembered. Jaitley's success lies in reaching consensus among political parties in implementation of GST. "With his demise we have lost an orator par excellence and a strategist," Deka said.

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman pays tribute

Congress's PL Punia remembers Arun Jaitley as 'capable, competent' MP

Congress Rajya Sabha member from Uttar Pradesh and party in-charge of Chhattisgarh PL Punia said, "I have seen closely and he always had answers to every question that came up in the House. He always used to come well prepared. He maintained good relations with members of all political parties – whether NDA allies or oppositions, and the media. Almost every day, we found him interacting with the journalists and also other MPs at the Central Hall."

"Parliament will be missing Arun Jaitley, one of the finest orator and MP of our times," he added.

Arun Jaitley was like a brother to me, helped in fuctioning of the House, says Sumitra Mahajan

"It’s an irreparable loss not only for the BJP but also to Indian politics. Both Jaitley ji and I had worked together in the party for decades. Besides being a smart politician, he was a good human being. He was not just a party colleague to me but was like my brother. Due to his rich political experience, which he had gained over the years by being in Delhi, I always used to get advice from him whenever I needed," former Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan said.

"Even when I was Lok Sabha Speaker, I got a lot of help from him on functioning of the House. His presence in the House, had always helped the BJP, as he used to tackle situations efficiently. Even as Finance Minister, he had no ego hassles and used to visit my chamber in the Parliament to discuss on agenda of the day and bills to be presented. Before coming to the Parliament, he used to say on the phone, 'Tai I’m coming', and then he would visit my chamber and discuss the impending issues.

"As presentation of Budget is a lengthy affair, I used to ask him to sit down and read out his speech due to his physical health. He had an acute problem of cervical spondylitis. But he never sat, as he strongly believed in Parliamentary procedures and etiquette," she said remembering the former finance minister.

In his last tweet, Arun Jaitley had mourned the loss of Sushma Swara, another BJP stalwart

BJP lost one of its diamonds: Prakash​ Javadekar

Mourning Arun Jaitley's death, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said, "BJP has lost one of its diamonds, Arun Jaitley. An orator par excellence, he was a master of articulation. We've lost many leaders in 1 year, Atal ji, Ananth Kumar, Manohar Parrikar, Sushma Swaraj and now Arun Jaitley. We deeply mourn his death.”

President Ram Nath Kovind pays tribute to former Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who passed away at AIIMS 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to pay tribute to Arun Jaitley on behalf of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Home Minister Amit Shah pays tribute to Arun Jaitley

On reaching Arun Jaitley's Delhi residence on Saturday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah paid tribute to former finance minister, who passed away at All India Institute of Medical Sciences.

Manmohan Singh condoles passing away of 'great orator, outstanding parliamentarian'

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday condoled the death of former Finance and Defence Minister Arun Jaitley saying that he was a great orator and an outstanding parliamentarian.

"The country has lost a great leader who always worked for the betterment of society," Singh said.

In his condolence letter to the former finance minister's wife, Sangeeta Jaitley, Manmohan Singh said, "I have learnt with profound sorrow about the sad and shocking news of the untimely demise of our beloved Arun Jaitley."

"He was an eminent lawyer, an excellent orator, a very good administrator and an outstanding parliamentarian. In his death the country has lost a great leader who always worked for the betterment of society," he said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah reaches Arun Jaitley's home in Delhi's Kailash colony

JP Nadda lays wreath on mortal remains of ex-FM on behalf of Amit Shah

On behalf of Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP working president JP Nadda laid a wreath on mortal remains of former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. Union health minister Harsh Vardhan also laid a wreath on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Mortal remains of ex-Finance Minister reaches his Kailash Colony residence

Mortals remains of former finance minister Arun Jaitley reached his Kailash Colony residence on Saturday from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, where he passed away. 

Arun Jaitley's contribution to Indian polity will be remembered: Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee expressed sadness over the passing away of Arun Jaitley after "a battle bravely borne". Lauding the senior BJP leader for being an "outstanding Parliamentarian and a brilliant lawyer", Mamata said that Jaitley's contribution to Indian polity will be remembered. 

Arun Jaitley to be cremated tomorrow at Delhi's Nigambodh Ghat

Arun Jaitley's body will be taken to his Kailash Colony residence on Saturday. BJP working president JP Nadda said that Jaitley's body will be moved to BJP headquarters on Sunday at 10 am. From there it will be taken for cremation to Nigambodh Ghat, located on the banks of the Yamuna river in New Delhi.

Jaitley's death personal loss for Modi; ex-FM had stood by PM during controversy over his degree

Arun Jaitley's demise is a personal loss for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi's personal relations with Jaitley date back to 1970s when the former was an emerging young ABVP activist and Modi used to visit New Delhi for various RSS programmes, and also to appear for his graduation examination while he was pursuing his bachelors degree as a private student.

When Arvind Kejriwal tried to build a controversy around Modi's educational qualifications, Jaitley furiously defended the prime minister, sayting that he was witness to the whole process: how Modi used to come to Delhi, stay in one corner of the old Jana Sangh office in old Delhi in order to appear for his exams. He went at length narrating anecdotes of yesteryears. People should actually admire Modi for his grit, his dedication to study further in most adverse circumstances.

No words to describe the sense of grief: Shaktikanta Das

Governor of Reserve Bank of India, Shaktikanta Das expressed sadness at the untimely demise of Arun Jaitley. Das also lauded the former finance minister for his "extraordinary knowledge, sharpness of mind and wisdom." 

Jaitley had long innings as public figure, Parliamentarian and Minister: Sonia Gandhi 

Expressing grief at the untimely death of former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi said that the veteran BJP leader had "long innings as public figure, Parliamentarian and Minister and his contributions will be forever remembered."

Venkaiah Naidu cuts short his visit to Andhra Pradesh following demise of former finance minister

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu who was to leave from Chennai for Nellore in Andhra Pradesh, has cut short his visit and is returning to Delhi following the demise of former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

Great loss for India: Shashi Tharoor on Arun Jaitley's demise

Condoling the death of former finance minister, Lok Sabha MP Shashi Tharoor expressed grief for his colleague and Delhi University senior. Tharoor reminisced the times when both the leaders met for the first time as university students.

He said, "Despite political differences we enjoyed a healthy mutual respect and debated his Budget often in Lok Sabha. A great loss for India."

Jaitley will be remembered for positioning Indian economy at forefront

"Be it the matter of taking action on black money, the realisation of the dream of 'GST', the matter of demonetisation or extending relief to common man, the welfare of the country was implicit in all his decisions. The country will always remember him for his very simple and sensitive personality," Shah said in a series of tweets. 

Narendra Modi condoles Arun Jaitley's death

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of former finance minister Arun Jaitley in an emotional tweet. The prime minister expressed grief on the demise of his long-time party colleague and remembered him as a towering legal and intellectual luminary. "Full of life, blessed with wit, a great sense of humour and charisma, Arun Jaitley Ji was admired by people across all sections of society. He was multi-faceted, having impeccable knowledge about India’s Constitution, history, public policy, governance and administration," Modi tweted.

Former Union minister Arun Jaitley died at 12.07 pm today

Jaitley, 66, was undergoing treatment at the AIIMS Delhi hospital for several weeks. He passed away at 12.07 pm according to the hospital's bulletin. It is with profound grief that we inform about the sad demise of Arun Jaitley, the AIIMS said in a brief statement. Jaitley was rushed to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences here on 9 August after he complained of breathlessness and restlessness

Former Union minister Arun Jaitley died at 12.07 pm today

Jaitley, 66, was undergoing treatment at the AIIMS Delhi hospital for several weeks. He passed away at 12.07 pm according to the hospital's bulletin. It is with profound grief that we inform about the sad demise of Arun Jaitley, the AIIMS said in a brief statement. Jaitley was rushed to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences here on 9 August after he complained of breathlessness and restlessness

Arun Jaitley passes away at 66

Former finance minister Arun Jaitley, who was receiving treatment by a multidisciplinary team of doctors at All India since the past few days, passed away around noon on Saturday.