Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday wished “a speedy recovery and a healthy life” to outgoing Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley after the latter opted out of the new Modi government on health grounds.
In a tweet, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief also praised the 66-year-old senior BJP leader as “affectionate and warm”.
“Wish @arunjaitley ji speedy recovery and a healthy life. I have known him since many years and despite political differences, I have always found him to be affectionate and warm,” the Kejriwal said in a tweet.
Wish @arunjaitley ji speedy recovery and a healthy life. I have known him since many years and despite political differences, I have always found him to be affectionate and warm.
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) May 29, 2019
Earlier today, Jaitley requested Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi not to include him in the new government so that he gets time for himself, his health and his treatment.
In a letter to the PM-designate, Jaitley said, “During the last eighteen months, I have had some serious health challenges. My doctors have enabled me to emerge out of most of them.”
“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 new Government,” he wrote.
Thanking the BJP and the PM, Jaitley wrote that it was a “great honour and a learning experience” for him to have been a part of the Modi government.
Without disclosing the ailment he is being treated for, Jaitley said he would continue to informally support the government and the party in any form that is required.
Read More: Arun Jaitley writes to PM Modi, opts out of government citing health reasons
PM-designate Modi will be sworn-in on Thursday at the Rashtrapati Bhawan along with his Cabinet of ministers.
Speculations are that Union Minister Piyush Goyal might be handed the charge of Finance Ministry. He was the interim Finance Minister during the period when Jaitley was undergoing treatment.