It was his series of tweets on August 6 on the abrogation of Article 370 that prove how much he missed politics. Even when he was away from it owing to his critical health condition, he could hardly keep himself from commenting on issues that matter.
Arun Jaitley may have been battling with prolonged illness, but nothing could keep him away from participating in the political discourse. Till the time he was admitted back to the AIIMS where he breathed his last on Saturday, Jaitley continued tweeting.
His last tweet came on August 7 when he paid his tributes for Tulsidas Jayanti before tweeting how heartbroken he was at the demise of his cabinet colleague Sushma Swaraj, who passed away at the AIIMS following a cardiac arrest on August 6.
But it was his series of tweets on August 6 on the abrogation of Article 370 that prove how much he missed politics. Even when he was away from it owing to his critical health condition, he could hardly keep himself from commenting on issues that matter.
In a thread of 10 tweets, Jaitley congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for axing Article 370.
"Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Home Minister Shri Amit Shah achieved the Impossible with the new Kashmir policy. In my blog today, I have analysed the impact of this decision, and history of failed attempts on resolving the J&K issue," the ailing former Finance Minister had said.
Elaborating on the way J&K was heading, Jaitley said, "The J&K history of the past seven decades shows that the journey of this separate Status has been towards separatism and not integration. It created a separatist psyche. Pakistan was more than enthusiastic in trying to exploit the situation."
Jaitley then delved into the history of militancy in the valley, saying, "By 1989-90, the situation of J&K had gone out of control and separatism with terrorism picked up. Kashmiri pundits, an essential part of Kashmiriat, suffered such atrocities which only the Nazis had inflicted in the past. The ethnic cleansing took place and they had to move out."
Jaitley continued, "The historic blunders of special status had cost the country politically and financially. Today, when history is being re-written, it proves that Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee's vision on Kashmir was the correct one and Panditji's dream solution has proved to be a failure."
The tweets also show his deep-rooted ideological bent towards the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) whose students' wing was his first political platform.
"In the last seven decades, attempts to resolve the issue proved a disaster, PM Modi decided to follow an alternative approach. The present decision makes it clear that just as the rule of law prevails in other parts of the country, it will equally prevail in the Kashmir valley," read another tweet.
He then stressed on how Kashmir was changing, saying, "The last ten months have not seen any protest. Not even in Srinagar. Law and order enforcement, making life safe for lakhs of Kashmiris and pressuring handful of separatists and terrorists has been at its best. The next logical step obviously is total integration of the State."
"The decision to reverse the situation created by Panditji needed clarity, vision and determination. It also needed political courage. The Prime Minister has created history through his absolute clarity and determination," the ailing politician said, taking a dig at the Congress.
His attacks on the grand old party continued, "India's most beautiful State has not had investments from even the hotel chains. Consequently, there are no new jobs, no revenue for the State. These constitutional provisions are not cast in stone. They had to be removed/diluted through the due process of law that is done now.
"The level of support has compelled several opposition parties to support this move. They sensed the ground reality and do not want to face the wrath of the people. Regrettably, the Congress Party legacy, which first created the problem and then added to it, fails to see reason."
Many would wonder from where Jaitley got the stamina. Ailing, feeble but outspoken as always, he ended the Twitter thread with a bang, "Congress Party, as a 'headless chicken,' is further consolidating its alienation from the people of India. The New India has changed. Only the Congress does not realise this. The Congress leadership is determined to succeed in its race to the bottom."
As condolences poured in for the 66-year-old politician, these last 12 tweets will be the embodiment of how unstoppably full of life and conviction Jaitley was.
(with inputs from IANS)
ALSO READ | Arun Jaitley no more: The editor's choice prime minister
READ | Arun Jaitley: Not just 'Man Friday', a leader for all seasons and reasons
