I Should be Allowed Reasonable Time for Myself: Arun Jaitley
NEW DELHI : A day before the swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi, Union Finance Ministry Arun Jaitley has written to the Prime Minister, seeking to be relieved of his charge and dropping out of contention for the new cabinet.
Citing “serious health challenges”, Jaitley in the letter sought “reasonable time” to himself, also mentioning that he had orally informed the prime minister of his decision before his Kedarnath visit a fortnight ago.
Owing to deteriorating health, Arun Jaitley in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday formally requested not to be given any responsibility in the upcoming cabinet due to be sworn in tomorrow. “I would in future for some time like to keep away from any responsibility. This will enable me to concentrate on my health and treatment,” read Jaitley’s letter.
Citing health issues, Jaitley wrote, “I am writing to you to formally request you that I should be allowed a reasonable time for myself, my treatment and my health and, therefore, not be a part of any responsibility, for the present, in the news Government.”
Jaitley had returned to India on February 9 after undergoing skin grafting. He is believed to had undergone some kind of a medical procedure again when he last month visited the US to attend the IMF-World Bank Group Spring Meetings.
Earlier this year, Jaitley had undergone surgery in the US on January 22 for a reported soft tissue cancer in his left leg, an illness that deprived him from presenting the Modi government’s sixth and final budget of its current term. Railway and Coal Minister Piyush Goyal was the stand-in finance minister who presented the interim budget for 2019-20.
Arun Jaitleys health has been on a decline ever since he underwent a kidney transplant in May last year. He was admitted to AIIMS earlier this month to undergo tests and treatment for an undisclosed illness. He was discharged later but did not attend celebrations at BJP headquarters after the party’s emphatic victory in general elections.
