Arun Jaitley begins his journey beyond, leaders across party lines bid farewell

Arun Jaitley funeral live News updates: Arun Jaitley funeral live News updates: Former finance minister and senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley was cremated on Sunday at 03.30 pm at the Nigambodh Ghat. Eminent leaders across party lines were present to bid farewell to Jaitely

Jaitley, 66, had been admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on August 9 after he complained of breathlessness. His condition had steadily deteriorated, and he was put on life support.

The BJP stalwart underwent dialysis on Thursday. He is survived by his wife Sangeeta, daughter Sonali, and son Rohan.

This was how things unfolded

16:54 |  'No fire can engulf him, no ailment can defeat him. He will stay with us' was how Editor-In-Chief and Chairman of India TV Rajat Sharma expressed his emotions after Arun Jaitley began his journey beyond on Sunday. This is Mr Rajat Sharma's tweet. 

15:15 | ARUN JAITLEY CONSIGNED TO FLAMES

15:12 | Even the skies are crying

It has started raining at the Nigambodh Ghat

14:21 | Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu gets emotional

14:13 | Rajnath Singh pays homage to Jaitley on behalf of PM Modi

14:08 | Former Delhi Lt Gov Najeeb Jung, Prakash Javadekar, Smriti Irani are also there

14:00 | Praful Patel and Gautam Gambhir are also present at the ghat

13:59 | Mortal remains reach Nigambodh Ghat for cremation

13:56 | Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah have already reached Nigambodh Ghat

13:40 | Mortal remains to shortly reach Nigambodh Ghat

13:35 | Mortal remains now being taken to Nigambodh Ghat for cremation

13:00 | Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik pays homage

12:45 | Rajat Sharma recounts his last meeting with Arun Jaitley

"I think he somewhat, somehow knew he would be no longer serving the nation," Rajat Sharma, editor-in-chief and chairman, India TV, tells reporters.

12:30 | Union ministers Harsh Vardhan and Piyush Goyal and Jharkhand CM Raghubar Das pay last respects

12:25 | Rajnath Singh pays tribute to Arun Jaitley 

12:15 | BJP workers are paying homage to Jaitley at party headquarters

11:30 | Jaitley was BJP's saviour, troubleshooter, Amit Shah tells reporters

11:12 | Home Minister Amit Shah pays homage 

11:10 | Rajat Sharma, editor-in-chief and chairman, India TV, gets emotional as he pays homage to his friend Arun Jaitley

11:05 | Leaders from across parties start paying homage to Jaitley

10:56 | Mortal remains have reached party office

10:33 | Amit Shah has reached BJP headquarters

10:20 | Arun Jaitley will be kept at the BJP office till 1 pm where party workers and leaders will pay homage

10:15 | Security has been beefed up at BJP headquarters

09:45 | BJP workers and supporters chant "Arun Jaitley amar rahe" as they walk with the gun carriage carrying his body through the streets of Delhi

09:30 | Jaitley's mortal remains are now being taken to the BJP headquarters by gun carriage

The route that will be followed is: Kailash Colony -- Moolchand -- Defence Colony -- Lodhi Road Flyover -- Tilak Marg -- BJP Headquarters -- ITO --  Delhi Police Headquarters -- Ring Road -- Rajghat -- Nigambodh Ghat.

08:30 | Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Sharad Pawar, Praful Patel, British High Commissioner, Motilal Vora, N Chandrababu Naidu, and Kirron Kher have reached Jaitley's Kailash Colony residence

08:20 | PM Modi gets emotional at Bahrain event

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid an emotional tribute to Arun Jaitley, describing him as a dear friend with whom he had traversed the long journey from their student days together and later in political life.

Addressing the Indian diaspora at the Bahrain National Stadium, Prime Minister Modi said he was tied down by responsibility due to which though he is steeped in grief, he has to carry on with his duties.

"I cannot imagine that I am so far away, and my friend has gone away. With deep pain, and sorrow.. This August month!

"Some days ago our former foreign minister Bahen Sushmaji left us. Today my friend Arun has left us. It is a moment of dilemma, on one side I am bound by the sense of responsibility, and on the other a tale of friendship that is full of emotions..."

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08:15 | Antim Darshan from 11 am

Jaitley's body will be taken to the BJP headquarters at 11 am where leaders across the political spectrum are expected to pay their last respects.

From BJP headquarters, it will be taken to the Nigambodh Ghat for the last rites.

08:10 | Security beefed up

Delhi Police barricaded the area around his house in view of the expected increase in VVIP and VIP movement.

Among those who arrived at the house to pay their last respects were Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, MP Hans Raj Hans and Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly Vijendra Gupta.

08:00 | A glorious political stint

The veteran BJP leader served as the finance minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's previous Cabinet from 2014 to 2018. He was also the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha from 2009 to 2014.

During his stint in the finance ministry, Jaitley was instrumental in implementing the Goods and Service Tax (GST) aimed at streamlining India's indirect tax structure. It was also during his tenure that the controversial decision of demonetisation was taken.

CONDOLENCES KEEP POURING IN

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, Smriti Irani, Hardeep Puri, Jitender Singh, Anurag Thakur, and BJP leaders Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Manoj Tiwari, and Ramesh Bidhuri were among those who rushed to AIIMS after hearing the news of Jaitley's demise.

Condolences poured in for Jaitley who was one of Prime Minister Modi's most trusted colleagues and an accomplished lawyer.

President Ram Nath Kovind said that Jaitley's death leaves a huge void in the intellectual ecosystem.

"A brilliant lawyer, a seasoned parliamentarian, and a distinguished minister, he contributed immensely to nation building," Kovind tweeted.

Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu said Jaitley's death is an irreparable loss to the nation.

Naidu, who was to leave from Chennai to Nellore in Andhra Pradesh, cut short his visit and is returning to Delhi.

Prime Minister Modi, who is in the UAE, said he has lost a valued friend and that the BJP and Jaitley shared an unbreakable bond.

"BJP and Arun Jaitley ji had an unbreakable bond. As a fiery student leader, he was at the forefront of protecting our democracy during the Emergency. He became a much liked face of our party who could articulate the party programmes and ideology to a wide spectrum of society."

"I have lost a valued friend whom I have had the honour of knowing for decades. His insight on issues and nuanced understanding of matters had very few parallels. He lived well, leaving us all with innumerable happy memories. We will miss him!" Modi said.

Union Home Minister Shah described it as a personal loss and recalled Jaitley's contribution during Modi's first term (2014-19) in making India the world's fastest growing economy.

Union Finance Minister Sitharaman paid rich tributes to her predecessor Jaitley, describing him as a mentor with matchless astuteness.

"No words can describe the loss of Shri @arunjaitley. A mentor to many of us, a guide and a moral support and strength. Have learnt so much from him. A fine large-hearted person. Always ready to help anyone/everyone. His intelligence, sagacity, astuteness have no match," she said in a tweet.

Congress chief Sonia Gandhi said Jaitley's contribution to public life will forever be remembered.

"Jaitley had a long innings as a public figure, parliamentarian and minister and his contributions to public life will forever be remembered," she said.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, in a tweet, said: "I am sorry to hear about Arun Jaitley's passing. My condolences to his family and friends. May he rest in peace."

Congress leader and former Defence Minister A.K. Antony said he had a longstanding and good relationship with Jaitley.

The Bar Council of India said the "Bar has lost an eminent jurist and one of its tallest members."

Jaitley was appointed as a senior advocate by the Delhi High Court on January 19,1990. He was Additional Solicitor General (ASG) during the tenure of the coalition government headed by V.P. Singh. During this period, he represented the government in the infamous Bofors case.

The cricketing fraternity too was saddened by the demise of Jaitley. He had served Indian cricket as BCCI Vice-President and President of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA).

BCCI treasurer Anirudh Chaudhry said that Jaitley's sudden demise was a personal loss for him - having worked closely with the former BCCI Vice-President over the years.

The Ambassadors of the US, France, China and Germany also condoled Jaitley's death.

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