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ISSN
COMING SOON
THE RNI No. DELENG/2012/48509
DISCUSSANT
THE DISCUSSANT
Journal of Centre for Reforms, Development and Justice
Volume - VII Number 3 July-September 2019 Rs. 500
Volume - VII
SPECIAL EDITION
An Obituary To Arun Jaitley
Number 3
JULY-SEPTEMBER 2019
PUBLISHED: Centre for Reforms, Development & Justice

Distribution: Global Books Organisation JURIST, IDEOLOGUE, PARLIAMENTARIAN
9899071610; 9899521610
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THE DISCUSSANT
Editorial Advisory Committee
Professor Mahendra Prasad Singh
Former Head, Dept of Political Science, University of Delhi & Editor, IIPA Journal
Dr Chandan Mitra
Editor-in-chief, The Pioneer, New Delhi
Dr Rabi Narayan Kar
Principal, SLC (Shyam Lal College), University of Delhi
Professor JP Sharma
Former Head, Department of Commerce & Dean, Business, Delhi School of Economics,
University of Delhi
Professor Sangeet Ragi
Department of Political Science, University of Delhi
Professor NK Chadha
Former Head, Department of Psychology, University of Delhi
Professor MP Sharma
Department of Hindi, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
Professor Sudhir Gupta
Dept of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
Sh Alok Jha, IRS
Department of Customs and Central Excise, New Delhi
Professor Ashok K Ghosh
Chairman, State Environmental Advisory Committee, Patna
Editorial Board
Professor Sidharth Mishra
Editor
Dr Sanjeev Kumar Tiwari
Co-Editor
Published and Printed by: Sidharth Mishra on behalf of
Centre for Reforms, Development and Justice

B-344, Nehru Vihar, Timarpur, Delhi -110054
and Printed at Om Printers, 324, Patparganj, Industrial Area, Delhi
website: www.crdj.in
email: president@crdj.in, sidharthmishra@hotmail.com, sanjeevtiwaridu@gmail.com
© The Discussant
The view expressed are those of the authors
Distribution: Global Books Organisation
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C O N T E N T
1. ARUN JAITLEY: MODERN DAY SQUIRE OF MANY MEASURES 4

2. SECRETARY’S DESK 6
3. ARUN JAITLEY - A PROFILE 7
4. CONDOLENCE MESSAGE : Ram Nath Kovind, President, Republic of India 11
5. CONDOLENCE MESSAGE : Narendra Modi, Prime Minister, Govt of India 12
6. CONDOLENCE MESSAGE : Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister, Govt of Uttar Pradesh 14
7. GRIEVING LOSS OF ARUN JAITLEY - CONDOLENCE MESSAGES 15
8. OUR REGULAR MEETINGS WERE FOR FOOD, AND FOOD FOR THOUGHT : M Venkaiah Naidu 17
9. ARUN JAITLEY HELPED BJP : Nitin Gadkari 20
10. A SHISHYA'S TRIBUTE TO ARUN JAITLEY : Nirmala Sitharaman 23
11. ARUN JAITLEY GAVE ME MANTRA TO DEAL WITH DOUBT & DILEMMA : Dharmendra Pradhan 26
12. A GO-TO PERSON FOR MANY, ARUN JAITLEY MASTERED FACTS ACROSS GENRES : Harsimrat Kaur Badal 29
13. ‘THE BEST BRAIN IN THE COUNTRY, ARUN JAITLEY LEAVES BEHIND A VOID IN MANY LIVES’ : Dr Jitendra Singh 31
14. ARUN JAITLEY POSSESSED THE RARE SKILL TO COMMUNICATE SIMPLY, ANALYTICALLY AND CALMLY : Abhishek Manu Singhvi 35
15. ARUN JAITLEY - A TRUE KARMAYOGI : Justice Pratibha M Singh 38
16. A GENEROUS BOSS, AND A FRIEND ONE COULD ALWAYS COUNT ON : Maninder Singh 42
17. A TITAN GOES AWAY TOO SOON : Chandan Mitra 45
18. AN ASSET TO BJP IN THE COALITION GAME : Swapan Dasgupta 48
19. A MAN OF OPEN HEART AND MIND, ARUN JAITLEY HAD FRIENDS ACROSS DIVIDE : Coomi Kapoor 51
20. ARUN JAITLEY'S DEMISE, AN IRREPLACEABLE LOSS TO THE NATION : Ashok Malik 56
21. ARUN JAITLEY'S RELATIONSHIPS RANGED FAR AND WIDE, BUT THE DEFINING EQUATION 60
IN HIS LIFE WOULD BE WITH NARENDRA MODI : Saba Naqvi
22. WAS EVERY NON-BJP PERSON'S FAVOURITE BJP PERSON : Shashi Tharoor 63
23. A UNIQUE COMBINATION OF KNOWLEDGE, INTELLIGENCE AND WISDOM : Shaktikanta Das 66
24. JAITLEYJI PLAYED WITH A STRAIGHT BAT, WAS PURE CLASS : Amrit Mathur 69
25. A Benevolent Institution Builder : Dr SC Vats 72
E D I T O R I A L
ARUN JAITLEY: MODERN DAY SQUIRE

OF MANY MEASURES
T
he onset of Monsoon in Delhi in the year 2019 would long be remembered for the immense loss it
brought to the polity of the country. Within a span of three months, the nation lost three very erudite
and prominent leaders - Sheila Dikshit of the Congress, Sushma Swaraj of the BJP and finally Arun
Jaitley again of the BJP.
Dikshit for long would be remembered for practising the politics of development in the right earnest.
In 1998, when she entered political arena of Delhi, she had a pitch ready to play politics of development,
something so far not practiced in any big measure. She rose to the challenge.
Sushma Swaraj, given her middle-class background, her education and the effervescent streak in her
personality came to be largely identified with the womenfolk of similar background. She rose to be a great
asset for the BJP during its years of struggle to emerge as a major political force, and also an able
administrator.
The biggest loss, however, has come in the demise of Arun Jaitley. While the two women leaders were
past their prime politically, though it's said that there is no retirement in politics, Arun Jaitley still had
several years in him to serve the country. This was largely due to the fact that he was a leader of a different
genre.
Unlike the two other leaders, he did not have a mass following. However, like the tagline of The
Pioneer, the newspaper I served for long years, "he mattered, where it matters." His influence in the
courtrooms, inside the parliament, on the committees of the government and the social circuit was
unparalleled. This was largely possible due to the extra-ordinary flair the man possessed of recognizing
talent, hand holding and grooming young people he interacted with.
The government which Prime Minister Narendra Modi leads today has several studs from the Jaitley
stable doing yeoman service. During his tenures as the general secretary and election in-charges of the
party, he used the opportunity to scout for young minds who could be drafted for the espousal of the
ideology he preached and served with great intellectual finesse.
He was gifted with an elephantine memory and a very sharp eye for details. In the 25 years that I
actively pursued journalism, despite being associated with a newspaper with which he kept a close
association, my meetings with him were sparse and far in between. But he still knew what was I up to,
what were my stands on various issues engulfing the city, which we both cared for.
I first met him at a ceremony to celebrate birth of the child of a former colleague and well known media
T H E D I S C U S S A N T
JOURNAL OF CENTRE FOR REFORMS, DEVELOPMENT AND JUSTICE
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person Ashok Malik. Jaitley and Ashok were closely associated and it was natural that he was there. As I
held my hand out to him to introduce myself, he had said, "You don't need to introduce yourself, I read
Reporter's Notebook regularly."
The Notebook was the weekly column I wrote for several years for The Pioneer and later the
Millennium Post, before I quit fulltime journalism for a career in academics. Several years later, my last
meeting with him too had a personal flavour. End December last year, he was at the launch of a book on
wildlife photos by educationist Dr SC Vats. I was on the stage for the launch as the co-author of the
endevour.
As we launched the book, he made a remark in the passing, "You are writing very frequently for
News18." It took sometime to register for me that he was aware of the fact that I had taken to writing for
this portal. In course of the lecture, he took a pleasing jibe, saying that I was doing a more worthy job
working on books than creating sensational headlines. For a smalltime pen pusher getting recognition from
nation's all-powerful Finance Minister was no small acknowledgement.
The other instance was when he in 2011, as the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, agreed to come
for the launch of the Centre for Reforms, Development & Justice. We had organized a daylong deliberation
on the civil society movement, which under Anna Hazare was then a raze through the city. Jaitley was
scheduled to speak at the valedictory session.
He arrived at the jam-packed large conference room of the Indian Institute of Public Administration.
The first query he made with a wry smile was, "Hope these people are not BJP cadres?" To this I had
replied, "Sir, they are waiting to be converted." Hearing which, his smile had got broader.
Speaking to the house sitting on a chair, he spoke for 75-minutes. Later when we edited the transcript
for the launch issue of The Discussant, we realized that it was a great treatise on the civil society movement
and also the functioning of the media in the changing times. The conversation continued beyond the
address into the corridors where people assembled for tea.
He charmed his listeners like the legendary Pied Piper would have done in Hamelin. The charm he
exercised was evident in the fulsome praise he received in the several obituaries which were penned by
people from different social and more importantly ideological backgrounds. This collection of the obituary
references is an attempt to draw a collage of the diverse facets of the leader, who would be remembered
for exercising tremendous influence the course nation's polity took in the first two decades of the current
century.
30 September 2019 Sidharth Mishra
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S E C R E T A R Y ’ S D E S K
W
e continue with our endevour to establish high bench marks for scholastic research. It's with
great humility and also sense of achievement that we announce that The Discussant is in
its7th year of regular publications and among its recent achievements have been successful
audition by an international agency for impact factor - International Scientific Indexing.
With equal humility we share the information that The Discussant was shortlisted by the Library of
the US Congress as part of its India Collection and in due course awarded the LCCN (Library of
Congress Control Number) and also will be catalogued online. In these years, this journal has proved
to be an asset in promoting research among young scholars across the universities, and what better
recognition for our effort than the one coming from the US Congress. The Discussant indeed has come
to be recognized as journal of honest endevour.
We have completed six years of unbroken publication of The Discussant as an RNI registered
quarterly periodical. We had received the ISSN accreditation a year earlier. I am happy to share with
you that our online edition too is crossing new frontiers and getting accessed from new territories,
which gives our writers a global exposure unthinkable for any journal of our vintage. The online
edition too has been successfully audited for impact factor. We continue with our endevours to partner
in intellectual exercises.
This is a special edition on Sh Arun Jaitley, a public figure par excellence, who was blessed with
great depths of knowledge. He unfortunately passed away at a relatively young age. This edition is a
collation of the various write-ups published in memory of Mr Jaitley by people of eminence and
knowledge. We are sure this publication who serve as a repository for the future researchers.
I have repeatedly mentioned in reports at the beginning of the various past editions, the members
of Centre for Reforms, Development and Justice including Centre president, self and other members
have taken up academic activities in the right earnest participating in seminars and deliberations of
national importance.We welcome young scholars to associate with us with ideas and proposal for an
intellectual enterprise, where we can join hands.
30th September 2019 Dr Sanjeev Kumar Tiwari
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Arun Jaitley - A Profile
A RUN JAITLEY was the most

supremely gifted second-generation
leader of Bharatiya Janata Party
(BJP). If a choice was to be made between
was a lawyer and the family lived in typical
West Delhi Punjabi Colony of Naraina
Vihar. Arun Jaitley did his schooling from
the St Xavier’s School (1957-69). He was
Jaitley a legal luminary, Jaitley a passionate about studies, debates, and
parliamentarian, Jaitley a political sports such as cricket. He graduated from
strategist and Jaitley a minister, one would the Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC)
be spoilt for choice. and was an active debater and President of
Arun Jaitley was born to a family of the student union of the college. Later, he
lawyers, social activists and philanthropists did LLB from the University of Delhi
in 1952. His father Maharaj Kishen Jaitley (1973-77).
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ARUN JAITLEY - A PROFILE
Armed with a razor-sharp legal mind the president of the Delhi ABVP and All
and first-rate political insight, Jaitley India Secretary of the ABVP.Being
slayed his opponents with rational associated with the ABVP since a long
subtlety, yet maintained a dignity and time, Arun Jaitley joined the BJP in 1980.
class that earned him palms from even He was then made the president of the
those at the receiving end of his harangue. youth wing of the BJP and the secretary of
Before blossoming into a full-fledged the Delhi Unit in 1980. In 1991 he became
politician, Jaitley had established himself the member of the National Executive of
as a shining spark in legal circles. Despite the BJP.
becoming one of the top lawyers in the Meanwhile, his legal career too peaked
country, politics seemed his natural simultaneously. Arun Jaitley started
calling. He started of from Delhi practicing law from 1977 onwards in
University Students’ Union. Supreme Court and several High Courts.
One of the most prominent names from In 1990, he was promoted to senior
among the office-bearers of DUSU to rise Advocate and was appointed Additional
high in politics was that of Arun Jaitley. In Solicitor General of India. As the
1974, he was elected as the President of the Additional Solicitor General, he worked on
students’ body and held the position when the Bofors Scandal, which was related to
Emergency was imposed. In his own words, the illegal kickbacks paid in the US$ 1.3
“I escaped arrest in the early hours of 26th billion deal between Bofors, a Swedish
June 1975 and organized the first protest arms manufacturer, and the Government
against the Emergency that day and was of India.
arrested. I underwent imprisonment for 19 As a Law Minister in the Union
months in the Tihar Jail. The days in Jail Cabinet, he brought in a several electoral
unravelled the different facets of life before and judicial reforms. He got the Advocates
me as I interacted with people coming from Welfare fund and Investor Protection Fund
diverse back grounds. It gave me a certain set up. He implemented the scheme of
insight in to the working of the human setting up of the Fast Track Courts and
mind, which would stand me in good stead paid special attention to the
in my later life.” On release from jail, he computerisation of the courts. To facilitate
took part in the campaigning all over the the expeditious disposal of cases, he
country during the 1977 General Election. brought amendments in the Motor Vehicles
He was made the national convener of the Act and the Negotiable Instruments Act.
Loktantrik Yuva Morcha, which was The High Courts of Chhattisgarh,
formed to campaign for the Janata Party, Jharkhand and Uttarakhand were
with which the Bharatiya Jana Sangh had inaugurated under his guidance. He had a
merged. line of clients cut across party lines and he
In 1977, Arun Jaitley was appointed as represented many multinationals, such as
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Pepsico, Coca Cola and big industrialists government handling Information and
such as the Birla family in the courtroom. Broadcasting Ministry and Disinvestment,
He successfully introduced the 84th and then as Cabinet Minister from July
amendment to the Constitution of India in 2000 onwards driving Law, Justice and
2002 for freezing parliamentary seats till Company Affairs and Shipping Ministries.
2026. He also successfully introduced the Jaitley, however, flourished more in
91st amendment to the Constitution of Parliament than in the cabinet. After 2004
India in 2004 for penalising defections. when the Vajpayee government was voted
The doors for his formal arrival on the out in a surprise verdict, Jaitley became
national scene were first opened in the the voice of the opposition in the Upper
early 1990s when the nation was at the House. He went on to become the Leader of
cusp of social, political and economic the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha in June
transformation. 2009 and led a series of virulent attacks
The Mandal politics was peaking in the against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s
Hindi heartland, the dust from the United Progressive Alliance (UPA)
demolition of Babri mosque in Ayodhya had government, playing a key role in ensuring
turned into a thick dark cloud threatening its eventual downfall.
the very foundations of the nation amidst His acerbic speeches echoed in the high
which then Prime Minister Narasimha Rao ceilings of Rajya Sabha as he had the
and his Finance Minister Manmohan government on the mat on series of
Singh were scripting a new economic corruption scandals and what he termed as
chapter. ‘policy paralysis.’ His was no ordinary voice
Jaitley slowly occupied a prime place in in the Parliament. When he stood up to
BJP’s hierarchy in the shadow of stalwarts speak, the government of the day would
of the time Atal Bihari Vajpayee and LK hear in rapt attention. In fact, such was his
Advani.After BJP uprooted the Congress prowess that the UPA government would
from Madhya Pradesh in 2003, Jaitley’s often fear if the legislations brought by it
abilities as a poll manager were widely would pass Jaitley’s scrutiny.
hailed. He brought the development It is ironical that the best performing
agenda at the forefront of political MP failed the people’s test in 2014. Jaitley
discourse by focussing the campaign on contested Lok Sabha polls from Amritsar
basic and long overlooked issues like ‘Bijli’, but lost to Captain Amarinder Singh. The
‘Sadak’, ‘Paani’ (electricity, roads and defeat was a rare personal setback for him
water). as even a Modi wave could not help his
He made smooth transition from the fortune. The electoral debacle did not alter
corridors of the Supreme Court to the his standing in the Bharatiya Janata Party
chaotic workspace in Shastri Bhawan, first (BJP). Jaitley was seen as the most trusted
as junior minister in the Vajpayee confidante of Prime Minister Narendra
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Modi who learnt intricacies of New Delhi’s boundaries between political ideologies
power ecosystem from his long time friend. blurred in his family. Modi in 2015
Jaitley was given charge of two key attended his father-in-law’s centenary
ministries - Finance and Defence. As he ceremony, attended by scores of Congress
shuffled between the North and South leaders, among others.
block, he suffered another jolt and this Jaitley’s influence was far beyond the
time it was more personal. He got bogged political domain. He dominated the legal
down by health issues. circles even after becoming politician and
Despite frequent visits to the hospital was a key cricket administrator who had
and subsequent long recuperating spells, complete control over Delhi and District
Jaitley continued to be the most important Cricket Association (DDCA). He was one of
minister in Modi 1.0 until his condition the key influencers in Delhi’s bar, playing
deteriorated further because of multiple an intricate role its politics. He
ailments. Despite his medical condition, he commanded same influence in complex
would come to the rescue of the Modi cricketing affairs of the country.
government through his periodic Apart from cricket and legal arena,
commentaries on social media which Jaitley was a darling of the media.
became a repository of political judgment. Contrary to his popular image of being a
Jaitley remained physically absent from serious political analyst, Jaitley was a
the election campaign in 2019 but kept the reservoir of Lutyens’ gossip which often
pot of his attacks on the Congress boiling landed him on the wrong side of many of
through social media and continued his his party colleagues who suspected him to
tirade till the very last days. be the “source” of many media
In one of his posts, few days before his commentaries on internal affairs. He was
death, he had blasted the Congress for its at ease with editors and propreitors and
stand on the abrogation of Article 370 in held regular ‘darbar’ with a group of
Jammu and Kashmir. Despite his reporters.
ideological doggedness, Jaitley earned There was a joke at one time that if an
respect of his opponents. editor’s choice was sought on who should
His right-wing mooring, however, did be the Prime Minister, Jaitley would have
not deter him from making friends from won hands down!
leaders of all political hues. The (With News Agency Inputs)
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Condolence Message
Ram Nath Kovind

President, Republic of India
ARUN JAITLEY was a brilliant lawyer, a seasoned parliamentarian and distinguished

minister, who contributed immensely to nation-building. Shri Arun Jaitley possessed a
unique ability of discharging the most onerous responsibility with poise, passion and
studied understanding. His passing leaves a huge void in our public life and our
intellectual ecosystem. My Condolences to his family and associates.
<11>
Condolence Message
Narendra Modi
Prime Minister, Govt of India
(Former Union finance minister and Man Friday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi passed
away on August 24 at AIIMS at the age of 66. The former finance minister had opted out of
the Modi 2.0 government due to his poor health despite the PM wanting him to be part of
his team. The prime minister was in UAE at the time of Jaitley’s death on August 24.
It is Jaitley who is credited with realizing the potential of Narendra Modi in the BJP and
<12>
CONDOLENCE MESSAGE
they stayed together through thick and thin. Such has been the importance and fondness of
Modi for Jaitley that he visited a day before swearing in of Modi 2.0 to convince him to join
ministry and also to consult the final list of the ministers. Here it goes what PM’s thoughts
are about his most trusted friend and long-standing ally in the party. Editor)
ARUN JAITLEY has been a big support to the government on many political, legal and
many other issues. It is not only a big setback to the BJP but also to the government as he
was always available with his suggestion to the government for any crisis. Arun Jaitley Ji
was a political giant, towering intellectual and legal luminary. He was an articulate leader
who made a lasting contribution to India. His passing away is very saddening.
He was 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.
During his long political career, Arun Jaitley Ji held multiple ministerial responsibilities,
which enabled him to contribute towards India’s economic growth, strengthening our
defence capabilities, creating people friendly laws and enhancing trade with other nations.
BJP and Arun Jaitley Ji had an unbreakable bond. As a fiery student leader, he was at
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.
With the demise of Arun Jaitley Ji, 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!
There will always be a burden on his heart for not being able to attend his funeral and
pay last respects. I never thought a day will come when I’ll have to pay tribute to my friend.
We were friends for so long but I couldn’t pay my last respects to him.
Jaitley showed interest in new innovations. Arun ji touched many lives. He added value
to the work he did. Jaitley was known for his one-liners and was very friendly to the media.
Jaitley Ji had health ailments but if one spoke to him, he was more concerned about the
nation. Serving the nation energised him.
If a client spoke to Jaitley Ji in private, the client would be disappointed. Because he or
she would feel Jaitley Ji was not bothered about the case. But, in court Jaitley Ji was so
brilliant, he would know all the facts of the case and ensure that the case is won.
Arun was a very close friend who was a stalwart blessed with a lot of talent with a multi-
faceted personality. I miss his presence. Whatever work Jaitley got, he added tremendous
value to that.We will all remember Arun ji. His life inspires us to work harder for the nation.
<13>
K
Condolence Message
Yogi Adityanath
Chief Minister, Govt of Uttar Pradesh
SHRI ARUN JAITLEY was a senior and seasoned leader. He was an eloquent orator and
doyen of parliamentary working and a legal luminary. He always presented his facts in a
very logical manner and commanded respect from politicians from every political party. Sh
Jaitley will be remembered for his work in the finance, defence and many other ministries
of government of India. His demise is an irreparable loss to the nation, who was
representing Uttar Pradesh in the Rajya Sabha.
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Grieving Loss of Arun Jaitley

RAJNATH SINGH, DEFENCE MINISTER, GOVT OF INDIA
Arun Jaitley ji served the nation in several capacities and he was an asset to the
government and the party organization. He always had a deep and clear understanding
of the issues of the day. His knowledge and articulation won him several friends.
AMIT SHAH, HOME MINISTER, GOVT OF INDIA

Deeply saddened by Arun Jaitley ji’s death. His death is a personal loss for me. I have
not just lost a senior party colleague but also a member of my family, who guided me for
several years.
SONIA GANDHI, PRESIDENT, INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS

Deeply pained and distressed by the untimely passing away of Shri Arun Jaitley. His
contributions to public life will be remembered forever. Mr Jaitley had a long innings as
a public figure, parliamentarian and minister and his contributions to public life will
forever be remembered.
RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD, LAW & IT MINISTER, GOVT OF INDIA

Deeply condole the death of our senior leader Arun Jaitely Ji, who was like an elder
brother to me. Have worked with him since my student days for more than 45 years. His
intellect, leadership and eloquence was truly extraordinary. We all will really miss him.
My deep condolences.
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GRIEVING LOSS OF ARUN JAITLEY
NITISH KUMAR, CHIEF MINISTER, GOVT OF BIHAR

Arun Jaitley Ji was an extraordinarily brilliant person. He skillfully and successfully
shouldered the responsibilities of different ministries in the government of India. He was
also an outstanding legal luminary.
NAVEEN PATNAIK, CHIEF MINISTER, GOVT OF ODISHA

Deeply saddened to hear about passing away of former Union Minister Arun Jaitley ji.
He was a distinguished lawyer, parliamentarian and an erudite person. His contribution
to governance has been profound. Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, friends
and followers.
MAMATA BANERJEE, CHIEF MINISTER, GOVT OF WEST BENGAL

Extremely saddened at the passing away of Arun Jaitley Ji, after a battle bravely borne.
An outstanding Parliamentarian & a brilliant lawyer, appreciated across parties. His
contribution to Indian polity will be remembered. My condolences to his wife, children,
friends & admirers.
DEVENDRA FADNAVIS, CHIEF MINISTER, GOVT OF MAHARASHTRA

In spite of facing difficulties & health issues, he was actively participating in BJP
meetings on almost occasions.He will be remembered for his contribution as Minister for
Finance, Defence, Information & Broadcasting, Law & Justice & also as leader of
Opposition. His contribution for rolling out of GST was immense and this herculean
couldn”t be done without a leader like Jaitley ji.
SITARAM YECHURY, GENERAL SECRETARY, CPI(M)

Very sad news about Shri Arun Jaitley”s passing. Heartfelt condolences to his family. We
have known each other for over four decades from our student days until our time in
Parliament.
SMRITI Z IRANI, WOMEN & CHILD DEVELOPMENT MINISTER GOVT OF INDIA

A stalwart who paid tribute to his simple beginnings by helping those with meagre
means. Orator par excellence, legal luminary Arun Jaitley ji served the Nation and
sangathan with dedication and zeal. My tributes to him. Condolences to loved ones.
(His several colleagues from legal fraternity, government and parliament wrote articles
in different newspapers on the demise of the political colossus. A bouquet of them have
been carried separately in this edition)
<16>
Our Regular Meetings Were For Food,

And Food For Thought
Aug 25, 2019/Times of India
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OUR REGULAR MEETINGS WERE FOR FOOD, AND FOOD FOR THOUGHT
M Venkaiah Naidu
W
hen I visited my long time dear not help admire the force of his viewpoint.
friend Arun Jaitley in hospital on He will be missed by one and all for his
August 11, I expressed hope that insights into the major issues of our time
he would recover soon. His hand in mine, which enriched public and parliamentary
he looked at me and gesticulated that all discourse. His regular blogs were
will be well. I had hardly expected it would informative and compelling reading.
be my last handshake with him. I did not After being president of Delhi
expect Arun would say goodbye forever so University Students Union in 1974, he was
soon. I am unable to reconcile to the fact the youngest member of the Janata Party
that he will not be back at work and I can’t national executive founded in the
seek him whenever needed as usual. aftermath of Emergency in 1977. Since
I have relied on his wise counsel and then, it has been a steady course and he
sagacity for over 40 years since our college was on the BJP national executive since
days. We first met at a convention of 1991 - which speaks for his contribution to
presidents of student unions in 1974 with the party. When I was party president, I
Jaitley representing Delhi University made him a member of the parliamentary
while I was from Andhra University. Since board along with Sushma Swaraj. With his
then, we were fellow travellers through the grasp of issues and drafting skills, he wrote
thick and thin of our political journeys numerous resolutions for his party.
developing a strong bond of kinship and He left a mark on all the ministries he
mutual respect. I am shattered by the handled, including finance and corporate
untimely demise of such a dear friend. affairs, defence, commerce, industry,
Arun epitomised versatility and was a shipping, disinvestment and information &
multi-faceted genius. He rose to be known broadcasting. He piloted several
as a widely acknowledged political voice of legislations that made India a modern
contemporary India. His clarity of thought, economy including the GST Act, Insolvency
strength of conviction, effective and Bankruptcy Code and laws to prevent
communication skills and ability to present money laundering and corruption. He
perspectives made him a formidable deftly handled the political economy
presence. He emerged as the most effective during 2014-19 at a critical time. His
spokesperson in the contemporary era for sound judgement ensured the macro
his party and government. fundamentals of our economy were stable.
Study and practice of law and his native When the issue of leader of the
perspicacity gave Jaitley the sharp edge in opposition in Rajya Sabha came up in
winning an argument. Political peers 2009, we insisted on each other being
across the spectrum ungrudgingly agreed chosen before he finally relented. In that
that they may not agree with him but could capacity, he played a key role in the Upper
<18>
OUR REGULAR MEETINGS WERE FOR FOOD, AND FOOD FOR THOUGHT
House in passing the women’s reservation socio-economic and political issues. He had
bill. As leader of the House in Rajya Sabha, the innate and unique ability of offering
he was a great support for me as chairman. solutions without compromising on the
He was a consummate strategist knowing basic position and view of the government
when to take a hard position and to when and his party.
to accommodate the other side. What made Jaitley different was his
He was a democrat to the core, inspired knowledge and grasp of national and
by the spirit of the Constitution, and a international issues. He worked hard to
staunch defender of the rights granted to keep abreast of contemporary issues with a
citizens. Not many would remember his 360 degree view of socio-economic and geo-
being active in the civil rights movement political implications. Alas! That voice is no
and helping launch PUCL Bulletin. He was more with us. But his legacy will continue
also convener of Loktantrik Yuva Morcha to guide all of us. He opted out of
in 1977. For opposing Emergency, he was government citing health grounds. A rare
jailed for 19 months as I was. He was a show of character.
nationalist yearning for the rise of India. On a personal note, both of us were
Since the early days of his public life, he foodies. In the early days, we used to go to
was a staunch opponent of corruption that all the popular restaurants and try
was eating into the vitals of our nation. He different kinds of cuisine. He was a regular
actively participated in the antigraft at my residence. His house was the only
campaign launched by Jayaprakash place I used to visit on socio-cultural
Narayan in 1973. Later, he supported the occasions. While dining we used to talk and
Anna Hazare campaign for a Jan Lok Pal. exchange notes on various emerging
He was uncompromising in backing issues. Our regular meetings were both for
legislation against financial irregularities food and food for thought.
and crimes. This period has been very stressful
He acquitted himself as an outstanding because of the loss of Arun Jaitley and
parliamentarian and an eloquent orator. before that Sushma Swaraj and Jaipal
During 2014-19, he was the most effective Reddy. I am shattered by destiny taking
interlocutor of the government in and away Arun. It is both a personal and
outside Parliament articulating it’s national loss. May his soul rest in peace.
position and perspectives on all major (The author is Vice-President of India)
<19>
DISCUSSANT_20-22.qxd 2/13/1950 7:25 PM Page 20
K
Arun Jaitley Helped BJP

Set the Narrative
August 26, 2019/Indian Express
<20>
ARUN JAITLEY HELPED BJP SET THE NARRATIVE
Nitin Gadkari
I
first heard of Arun Jaitley during the me in such situations with his suggestions
Emergency. He was a few years senior and guidance.
to me and was seen as one of the Arun ji was an intellectual reservoir for
sharpest and most articulate young leaders us. His areas of expertise were so vast that
of the ABVP. often the range of his knowledge would
As the years went by and the turmoil of surprise me. Law, finance and, defence
the Emergency years settled down, Arun ji were subjects in which he had special
went on to carve a niche for himself as a expertise. On his day, I would rate him as
lawyer. His sound logic and structured, better than the best that India has ever
razor-sharp arguments led to him being produced in these fields.
recognised as one of the top lawyers of the In fact, as party president, I was blessed
country. At the young age of 37, Arun ji was to have two exceptional Leaders of
appointed by the then prime minister, VP Opposition in Arun ji and Sushma ji. I
Singh, as the additional solicitor general. would follow their speeches in Parliament
However, Arun ji’s heart was always in closely. Sadly, both of them have left us in
politics. the last few days.
By the late 1990s, Arun ji was seen as Arun ji was one of the best
among the finest spokespersons of our parliamentarians I have known. All his
party. His political arguments carried a speeches contained verifiable facts and
welllaid-out structure and would be laced his demeanour carried immense dignity. I
with a fair dose of humour and wit. He would like to mention three of his finest
maintained dignity at all times and never speeches that I can recall. The first
attacked below the belt. speech was in 2008 in the immediate
As the Maharashtra BJP president, I aftermath of the 26/11 terror attacks,
would often interact with Arun ji on when he censured the UPA government
various issues, though frequent meetings for reducing India to a weak state; the
were not possible. My interactions with second speech was in 2011 during the
Arun ji increased in 2010 when I became Lokpal debate where he famously said, “If
the national BJP president and shifted to we are creating history, let us not create
Delhi. a bad one.” The third speech was the most
I was new to national politics and recent one in January 2019 where he
needed guidance. In Delhi, he was my decimated the Opposition attack on the
trusted friend and senior associate whom I Rafale issue by laying out all the facts
could blindly trust and speak my heart out threadbare. This speech was made in a
to, without any hesitation. There were condition of deteriorating health, as
occasions when I was confronted with a within days of making it, Arun ji left for
tricky issue. Arun ji was always there for the US for treatment.
<21>
ARUN JAITLEY HELPED BJP SET THE NARRATIVE
As party president, I would trust Arun ji us did not carry our political battles beyond
completely when it came to media strategy the battlefield. Arun ji had friends across
or setting the intellectual narrative. I have the political spectrum. He helped people in
never seen someone come as well-prepared need, even if they were his political
as him for the party’s internal meetings. adversaries. The kind of glowing tributes
He would have in-depth analyses of the he has received from Opposition leaders
issues on the agenda ready with him. speaks of Arun ji’s large-heartedness. His
It is noteworthy that unlike many of us, other love was cricket. He was a brilliant
Arun ji was not a career politician. His cricket administrator.
professional identity was that of one of I was aware of Arun ji’s deteriorating
India’s most successful lawyers. Politics health in the last few months. His health
was his passion and vocation. That condition, however, did not deter him from
explains why he quit his legal career at its contributing to our 2019 election
peak to pursue a full-time career in campaign. He contributed, as best he
politics. In a matter of years, he went on to could, by helping our spokespersons with
become one of India’s top politicians. That regular briefings.
shows his dedication and focus. Arun ji Arun ji opted out of the new
excelled in all his pursuits and government, citing health reasons but
responsibilities as he put his heart and offered his help in an informal capacity.
soul into them. That spoke of his selfless nature. He could
On a personal level, Arun ji and I shared do anything for the party and the country.
some common traits. Like me, he was a His death has left behind an
foodie; at times, he disregarded health irreplaceable void in our political
precautions. He was fascinated by narrative.
Amritsari street food in much the same (The writer is the Union Minister for
way as I love Mumbai street food. Both of Road Transport, Highways and MSME)
<22>
A Shishya's Tribute to Arun Jaitley

August 26, 2019/ Indian Express
<23>
A SHISHYA'S TRIBUTE TO ARUN JAITLEY
Nirmala Sitharaman
E
ver since Saturday noon, when I got prepared a version of a political resolution
the phone call - which despite his only to have him send it back to me, saying
prolonged and brave battle with that the party needed a draft resolution
illness, I didn’t think I’d ever get - I’ve been and “not a term paper”. We were too close
reflecting on what Arun ji and I had in to the deadline already, but despite the
common. No amount of introspection has pressures of time, somehow, Arun ji knew
led me to any answers. how to extract the best from me.
Yet, if mentorship is the hallmark of a Given his legal training perhaps, he was
political career, I’ve had the best. Did I a brilliant speed-reader, with a complete
have a role in the selection of the mentor? hold over comprehension. If I laboured a
None at all, and that is where the role of point he’d already grasped, his sense of
Providence is. impatience was palpable. But Arun ji
I come from the country’s south, would never stop me - or a few others like
sometimes distant in its connect and me, for that matter - from finishing our
preoccupations with the political culture of piece.
the north. “Are you a ‘Tam Bram’ from We’ve also disagreed on matters, but he
Mylapore,” he’d asked me on more than never gave me the feeling that he
one occasion, even after a few years of my contradicted me. Even at his most candid,
having worked closely with him. It was a his clarity of thought and manner of
genuine query that, at times, gave way to delivery were wedded together so
light-hearted ribbing at a stereotypical seamlessly that he made sure you didn’t
contrast in our sensibilities. take his disagreement personally.
I was, and to a large extent, still am, an In a city known for its ego and tu jaanta
alien to Delhi’s social circuit, with whom he nahi mein kaun hoon, Arun ji, for all the
shared a wonderful rapport, given the heights he’d reached, made sure to
gregarious entertainer and raconteur that communicate with consideration, even
he was. I’m not a lawyer either, to a lot of when you were wrong, and especially when
whom he was a generous senior, apart from he knew he was right. He was also very
being a role model, given his undeniable easy to talk to, given his varied interests.
legal acumen. In 2017, after a visit to Russia, I had
I hardly knew any leader of “stature” in brought back a photo-book of the
Delhi’s political world when I first came to collections in the State Hermitage Museum
the capital, as a national spokesperson in of St Petersburg for him. Before he even
2010. opened its cover, he rattled off the names of
But his shishya I became, without at least three bookstores overseas - in
doubt. Paris, Tokyo, and London. He waxed
Once in my early days in the party, I eloquent about each of them, and pointedly
<24>
A SHISHYA'S TRIBUTE TO ARUN JAITLEY
asked me where had I got this one from. reinforced to me the biggest lesson there is
His inherent security in showing to remember: At work, in politics or
generosity to his juniors is perhaps otherwise, you can’t rest on your past
encapsulated in one very vivid memory I successes. There were always ten other
have: The day I took charge at the Raksha things that needed our attention.
Mantralaya, it was Arun ji who Sometime between 2011-2012, as I was on
affectionately walked me through the the way back after a particularly tough day
corridors of the majestic South Block and in the TV studios, I got a call from him. He
on entering the room, drew the chair and asked if I was alright, and told me to go see
gestured for me to take the seat. him the next day. I did so promptly. What
There was nothing Arun ji stood to gain he said then will stay with me a long
by taking me under his wing, so to speak. time:”Don’t try to win the evening with an
Yet, he did. Without ever being argument,” he said.
overbearing, he’d step in to guide me. With “Gently put the facts across, and you’ll
a quick phone-call, or with that dismissive win the day.” This was a time when there
frown on his face, to tell me that I should was no “power” yet on the horizon, for the
let some things go, or that I could do better, BJP. Arun ji always thought of persuasion
and to discourage me from negative and ideology as more powerful than noise
thought. and catchy remarks to make a point. He
His well-known penchant for banter and held on to nuance with élan, made subtlety
gup shup was never to hurt or malign a powerful instrument, and believed that a
anybody. When it came to party turn-of-phrase would endear you to the
karyakartas, he was fiercely protective of listener. How relevant! For him, etiquette
them, and would do anything to safeguard and grace were never to be compromised.
their legitimate interests. And neither were the principles of integrity
In person, though, he was never in public life. I’ve heard him use the phrase
proficient with praise. When I did “squeaky-clean” for honest people. It was a
something well enough by his standards - quality he deeply valued.
initially a press conference, later a Arun Jaitley, my guru, my mentor, and
parliamentary answer - his pat-on-the- my moral strength, is no more. Ever
back, as it were, would be limited to a grateful for the role you played, Arun ji.
“hmm” and a nod. (The writer is the Union Finance
That was enough, especially because it Minister)
<25>
Arun Jaitley Gave Me Mantra to

Deal with Doubt & Dilemma
August 26, 2019/Economic Times
<26>
ARUN JAITLEY GAVE ME MANTRA TO DEAL WITH DOUBT & DILEMMA
Dharmendra Pradhan
T
here is one advice of (Arun) Jaitley ji corporate affairs minister, leader of
that has particularly held me in opposition and so forth - can only be
good stead among all the nuggets of matched by few in the country’s political
his experiential sagacity that I have been a landscape. So much for the king part.
beneficiary of through my association with Jaitley’s rare other-wordly nature -
him: “When in dilemma, go straight. especially, given the stature he attained
Because, straight is the most natural road. professionally- was to treat all his fellow
Hence, the easiest to negotiate”. travellers with equal dignity, from his cook
I had heard of Jaitley during the early to colleagues to the heads of state. Gopal,
1980s as a student activist in Odisha. his caretaker for decades, exercised as
However, I met him only decades later -- in much authority on him as his son, or
2001-- and thereafter, developed a deep perhaps, more. His sensitivity was
personal bond with him. My innings in the encompassing and never a slippery
political capital of India would neither attribute. He hand-held junior colleagues
have begun nor been as eventful but for his like me in the BJP, galvanised our
mentorship. And mine is not the only story- strengths and worked on our weaknesses
as would be apparent from the many Because his personal life was a bedrock for
memoirs that would tumble out in the the principles he held dear, Jaitley ji was
coming days, both in personal never disinclined to speak inconvenient
conversations and public expositions. truths -- but in inoffensive and effective
The limits of language are many to ways that only a gifted raconteur and a
capture the essence of a person in any person with deep convictions could achieve.
meaningful way. But, if I were to choose a We were once travelling back from
word to describe him, it would be Bengaluru when Jaitley ji received calls
“authentic”. Jaitley was an authentic from a friend. Jaitley ji was planning to go
person: he was multi-faceted, but never on a year-end holiday with family and close
two-faced. I consider it a grace to have had friends. Most were travelling by chartered
an elaborate opportunity to see his flight and someone among them wanted
authenticity at play on occasions too Jaitley ji to accompany him. Despite all the
numerous to count. He had the disposition pleading, Jaitley ji turned down the offer in
of a saintly-king. I call him a king because the most uninhibited fashion.
he was blessed enough to accrue in his We landed in Delhi in the afternoon
most material comforts, owing to his from where Jaitley ji headed straight to the
roaring practice as a senior advocate in the railway station where his wife was waiting
Supreme Court. His influence over the to catch the Shatabdi Express. He was
Indian polity - as former defence minister, committed to his friendship but discharged
finance minister, law and justice minister, this in ways that resonated with his
<27>
ARUN JAITLEY GAVE ME MANTRA TO DEAL WITH DOUBT & DILEMMA
beliefs. He had mastered the art of tested our personal integrity. Whenever I
negotiating the tricky terrain of keeping faced such a dilemma, I unhesitatingly
the personal and the professional apart -- followed the Jaitley doctrine of ‘the
particularly challenging when you are in straight path’. It has never once let me
the highest corridors of power. His clarity down.
of thought had unburdened him of the Jaitley ji has been a brother, a fatherly-
seeming paradox to reconcile his natural figure, a mentor and friend to me- from
inclination to frame policies for the poor guiding me on my children’s education to
while having an eclectic mix of elite advising me on how to live and how to
friends. spend. In my years of close interaction with
As an opposition leader or member of him, I have never seen him in a dilemma.
the ruling party, his critiques were direct, Whether it be a difficult or a joyful
but always delivered with humility - a moment, he has been calm and inspiring.
difficult trait in the parliamentary The ameliorative effect of good company, I
ecosystem. It is no secret that his goodwill believe, is irreplaceable given all the
across party lines helped us achieve ordinariness and weaknesses that a
consensus on GST implementation and human being carries. With Jaitley ji’s
Jaitley ji has substantial contributions in departure, the world seems a little greyer
all the pro-poor schemes of the Modi to me today. As I grapple with an interplay
government. between memory and loss, one message
I worked closely under him in 2010 comes with immense certitude: my life has
when he was the election in-charge of been touched with nobility and a great
Bihar and Karnataka. We faced many man’s company.
political and national interest questions, (The writer is Union Minister for
ideological issues and vexed matters that Petroleum & Natural Gas)
<28>
A go-to person for many, Arun Jaitley

mastered facts across genres
August 26, 2019/Hindustan Times
<29>
A GO-TO PERSON FOR MANY, ARUN JAITLEY MASTERED FACTS ACROSS GENRES
Harsimrat Kaur Badal
T
o sum up Arun ji in one or two My first memory of him was when I was
anecdotes cannot do justice to his once campaigning for my husband [Sukhbir
personality, his influence, or his Singh Badal].For the final day, we had
legacy. He was such a powerhouse that, called Arun ji, and it was a big thing for us
with him, the Capital has lost an that he came. From then on, he became a
imperative part of its history. All key issues constant guide; he always treated me like
coming up in Parliament, and what was family and he always said that our family
the background of the issues, was all on his was like an extension of his own.
fingertips. He was always there to advice Among the best things about Arun ji
and guide us with his depth of knowledge were his versatility. You could talk to him
and his amazing memory. about fashion - he knew all the brands; you
Arun ji had friends across party lines, could talk to him about the Kashmiri and
and the smile on his face showed he was embroidery work - he would know all its
always willing to help anyone. I can’t history. You could talk to him about his
remember a single time I found him short- favourite dhabas for kulcha in Amritsar, or
tempered or saw him losing his cool; even where to get the best dosas in Chennai. It
during the harshest times, he had a seemed to me that he was like a living
positive outlook. Encyclopedia who knew everything from
I used to always tell him, you are more politics to economics to sport to fashion and
like a Sardar, because of your large- food.
hearted persona. He was a like a typical He will be deeply missed because of his
Punjabi foodie. There was a lunch in his knowledge, dedication, and friendship. He
chamber at the end of every Parliament was the go-to person whenever anybody
session with food from all parts of the had a concern about anything. He also had
country, and leaders across parties would a special bond with the media fraternity.
be present. I once told him that I was going Sitting in Central Hall, whenever you
to bring lunch from Punjab after the House would see a huge gathering of reporters
was adjourned after the President’s anywhere, you would find Arun ji at the
address. I brought sarson ka saag and centre. This highlighted his personality as
makke hi roti because I knew how much he a people’s person.
liked it. He told me that I must make it an His passing is truly the end of an era.
annual routine, and it became a tradition (The writer is the Union minister of
since then. food processing)
<30>
‘The Best Brain In The Country, Arun Jaitley

Leaves Behind A Void In Many Lives’
August 26, 2019/ Hindustan Times
<31>
'THE BEST BRAIN IN THE COUNTRY, ARUN JAITLEY LEAVES BEHIND A VOID IN MANY LIVES'
Dr Jitendra Singh
W
hat Arun Jaitley meant to me is consultation or discussion with my
a question which I may not be colleagues in the medical institute or
able to answer, even though, members of my family, I quietly put in my
over the years, I have, on several papers for voluntary retirement and
occasions, sought an answer to it - from sought to embark on a new work routine
within myself. wherein I would devote the latter part of
Our deeply evolving relationship was the day to party work, and in the
possibly triggered by a destined decree. remaining part of the day make my living
For years together, I was closely through private practice at my clinic.
associated with the activities and Today, looking back, I feel tempted to
programmes of the Sangh Parivar and ask myself, what, after all, gave me the
was also a Core Committee Member of confidence to give up a lucrative
Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti, government job and join a political party
which spearheaded the Amarnath land that was, at that time, in opposition with
agitation, with full organisational little prospect of coming to power. More
backing but I was never a formal party so, in Jammu & Kashmir, where I came
member of the Bharatiya Janata Party from, it was rarely heard of that a
(BJP), nor did I ever envisage myself in government official in a senior position
that role. The turning point came, rather would take to active politics before
dramatically. completing their term of service, and
One February afternoon, while sitting even after retirement those who had an
in his 9 Ashoka Road chamber, Arun “itch” for politics would prefer to join
Jaitley suggested whether I was ready to Congress or some other non-BJP political
formally take over the responsibility as a party with prospects of possibly ruling in
party office-bearer of the BJP, which also the state. Many of the colleagues and
implied that I would have to tender my friends dissuaded me from taking the
resignation from the post of professor of plunge, but now I realise, it was my
medicine in a medical college. confidence in the credibility and
I must confess, I did not straightway commitment of the words spoken by Arun
respond in too many words but while Jaitley which emboldened me to go ahead
leaving the room, I stood at the door, - even if it was seen by many as a
looked back at him and said, “Hope, that foolhardy plunge at that time. I am not
would not make a laughing stock of me”. sure whether I had faith in myself, but I
He looked up, smiled and, a man of few had huge faith in Arun Jaitley.
words as he was, he said: “You will carve In the topsy-turvy and need-based
a niche for yourself.” politics of today, Arun Jaitley had the
On my return, without much of commitment and capacity to stand up for
<32>
a junior or a colleague if he was convinced form an opinion that would determine

about what he was doing. He could also future bearings.
take up cudgels for a colleague or a friend For me, for several years, Arun Jaitley
“in absentia” without the person had become the ultimate destination
concerned even being aware of it. where the “buck stops”. I would often
A word of appreciation or praise came refer to him as a “single window” for any
rarely from him, but came in abundance issue on earth because he was the one
when he actually meant it, and maybe, he who had an answer to everything. Even
was too discreet not to praise someone on before I shifted to Delhi, I would
the face. I would feel personally gratified, invariable call him on the phone every
and more than that, highly flattered when third day - the best time to do so, I learnt
a mutual acquaintance sometimes came from my experience was from 8.30 am to
and told me that, in the course of a 9.30am. After I shifted to Delhi, I would
conversation, Jaitley praised something walk up to his North Block office at least
that I did or said. On one occasion, a senior once in the day, and his office staff too got
BJP leader told me during a BJP National used to my daily sojourn. Each day, I
Executive meeting, “Do you know, Arunji carried with me a small slip of paper with
was saying, you are an ‘asset’ for the two or three issues jotted down,
party?” How many of the contemporaries in sometimes these related to official work,
politics would qualify to live up to such a sometimes political, and sometimes even
generous compliment for a junior colleague personal. His response was prompt, brief,
is something one would hardly venture to precise, and always stood the test of time.
guess. Jaitley was the best brain in the Jaitely had a special weakness for
country, and the best brain I came across in Jammu & Kashmir, also because he was
my lifetime. But he was never conceited, married to a daughter of Jammu whose
and could indulge in mediocre or even father Shri Girdhari Lal Dogra was a
routine gossip in order to relate with the Congress stalwart and a close confident
other person by coming down to the latter’s of Late Smt Indira Gandhi. Very few may
level. recall that at the time of Arun Jaitley’s
Jaitley was sometimes accused of not wedding, his baraat was accompanied by
readily responding with a warm the BJP’s top national leadership of that
acknowledgement if a karyakarta passing time and it was received by the
by happened to wish him with a Congress’s top national leadership from
“namaskar”. But very few realised that the bride’s side.
even without responding through words The courage and conviction of Arun
or a smile, he had the knack that enabled Jaitley is evident from the fact that the
him to scan the ins and outs of the last blog he wrote on the August 6 was on
individual with a passing glance, and the abrogation of Article 370, soon after
<33>
the Bill was passed by Lok Sabha. I was Jaitley meant to me, is perhaps an
in touch with him, virtually on a day-to- enigma even to me. But, what I know for
day basis, but since Parliament went on sure is that the void which he has left for
till late that day, I could not reach out to me and many others like me, to whom he
him. I received a phone call at around was a mentor, friend and guide, would be
8.45pm, when he said that he was writing difficult to fill - at least in our lifetimes.
a piece on Article 370 and wanted to (The writer is the Union Minister for
check on one or two facts. What Arun PMO and North East Development)
<34>
Arun Jaitley Possessed The Rare Skill To

Communicate Simply, Analytically And Calmly
August 24, 2019/Economic Times
<35>
ARUN JAITLEY POSSESSED THE RARE SKILL TO COMMUNICATE SIMPLY, ANALYTICALLY AND CALMLY
Abhishek Manu Singhvi
I
was scheduled to call on Arun Jaitley visited AIIMS on Saturday, August 17.
at 6 pm on Saturday, August 10, at Having opposed Arun in major speeches
his home. The appointment had been in Parliament and in major cases in the
changed a couple of times, because of, as Delhi High Court and the apex court,
I learnt later, his unscheduled visits to what stands out is his ability to
AIIMS, but they seemed like routine communicate effectively, simply, non-
pinpricks. contentiously, analytically, wittily and
TV flashes and PM’s visit to the calmly. A rare combination indeed. The
hospital made it clear to me that his ability to think on one’s feet and the
illness was serious. I felt saddened that a capacity to encapsulate the essence of an
man I had known for decades - as a adversarial issue in a penetrating one-
lawyer, politician, spokesperson, minister liner, which also sheds new light and a
and conversationalist - and one who had different perspective, was a rare gift
largely overcome major crises like possessed by Arun in abundance.
diabetes, bariatric surgery and kidney His old friends recount the story of an
transplant, was being felled by the up-and-coming BJP leader (now an MP
“emperor of maladies”, cancer, even and ex-minister) who was very keen to
though the world’s best hospital on the have a book by him released by the then
subject in the US had certified him PM, Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Fearing a
trouble-free after keeping him under rejection of his request, he roped in Arun
close watch for two weeks. to get the PM to agree. Then a junior
It was a cruel hand of destiny, which minister, Arun accompanied the author
prevented him from joining what might and a few others to ABV. As the PM was
have been his most glorious innings in expressing disinclination, Arun told him
Modi 2.0. We just saw the sad demise of a that he must release the book since it was
decent man in politics, known for his unique.
great lawyering, his skilful management On ABV’s query as to why this was so,
of the Upper House of Parliament as Arun said this was the first book ABV would
leader of the House, his magnanimity, his be releasing which the author had not read
earlier stellar role for his party as the (the book was widely believed to have been
leader of the Opposition in the Rajya ghostwritten). ABV, who had a great sense
Sabha, his amiable and genial nature and of humour, burst out laughing and
his foodie vices. immediately agreed to release the book.
Instead, let me talk of his great Once, as both Arun and I were coming
communication skills. This is what, out of the Rajya Sabha after hearing our
anecdotally, a lot of his friends and good friend Sitaram Yechury make an
associates were talking about when I impassioned plea as to why practitioners
<36>
ARUN JAITLEY POSSESSED THE RARE SKILL TO COMMUNICATE SIMPLY, ANALYTICALLY AND CALMLY
like doctors, lawyers, chartered to seek some post-retirement sinecure,

accountants, engineers and also that as law minister he was finding it
industrialists should not be allowed to be difficult to also run the largest
MPs for alleged conflicts of interest, we employment agency in India. The
ran into Sita in the lobby. Before I could impending request was automatically
speak, Arun said, “Sita wants a aborted.
Parliament not only of the unemployed Phrases like “perennial pessimists”
but also the unemployable!” This “gagar and “eternal naysayers” were his gift to
mein sagar” talent, as the Hindi proverb the political lexicon, used like a scathing
goes, was Arjun’s special gift. but effective scalpel. His wit and sense of
His criticisms were also laced with humour did not leave him till the end.
humour. Once, when he had a run-in with On the subjects of his interest, his
a very senior BJP leader, he told a small knowledge and recall were legendary. I
gathering in the Central Hall, without recall a strong speech by an opposition
mentioning that person’s name but yet member barely a year ago in the Rajya
making his identity clear, that there are Sabha on the opportunism and failures of
some people who find promotion and the BJP-PDP coalition in J&K. Though
success with each failure - the lower the he was not slated to speak, Arun, I could
party falls, the higher they go! see, was straining at the leash to
Having left law practice since 2009, intervene, since J&K was close to his
when he became leader of the opposition, heart, apart from being his “sasural”.
he would frequently rib me whenever he Exercising his right to do so as leader
saw me in the Central Hall, saying that of the House, he made an impromptu,
while there was no value for the time of extempore and masterful intervention for
public servants like himself, my time was over 20 minutes, reeling off historical
very expensive and should not be wasted sequences, dates and events since the
in the Central Hall! I used to retort by 1950s, coupled with penetrating analysis,
telling him that since he was collecting in displaying his legendary memory and
taxes over one-third (now 42%) of my also his ability to collate complex
expensive time, it was better to make him historical data into a simple, lucid and
suffer some deprivation while I gossiped prima facie convincing narrative, even for
in the Central Hall. the opposition.
His one-liners came spontaneously (The writer is a MP, national
and most appositely. He once spokesperson of Congress and former
preemptively told a retired judge, about additional solicitor general of India)
<37>
Arun Jaitley - A True Karmayogi

August 25, 2019/LiveLaw.in
<38>
ARUN JAITLEY - A TRUE KARMAYOGI
Justice Pratibha M Singh
O
ne never thought that the day to One evening in late 1994, I got a call
write this piece would come so from Maninder on my landlord’s number in
soon. Defence Colony where I lived in a barsati
Our association with Jaitley sir (as I floor, to tell me that Jaitley sir had made a
would fondly call him) is well known - surprise visit to Maninder’s apartment in
though I have never been his junior or Mayur Vihar. It turned out that he had
relative. He was like an elder in our family gone there to speak to Maninder’s mother
owing to Maninder’s (Mr. Maninder Singh, and brother that they should get us
Senior Advocate and former ASG) married and that he vouches for me. That
association with him spanning more than one gesture changed the course of our life.
30 years. The rest is history. We were married in
I met Jaitley sir when I started January 1995. I am quite sure he has been
practising in the Delhi High Court in the responsible for several hundreds of
early 90s, and was asked to brief him in marriages like ours. Jaitley sir and his
many IPR matters. Sir used to work from family have been an integral part of our
his office on Prithviraj Road and I would family and he has been the elder guiding
take an autorickshaw with the bags from us and our children every step of the way.
Nizamuddin, where I used to work. His Having seen Jaitley sir from close
office was always bubbling with activity, quarters, it is clear that he was a `Sangam’
with clients, lawyers, staff moving in and of some amazing traits - he was an
out. As a completely unknown junior who outstanding orator, a deep thinker,
barely even spoke Hindi, he listened excellent lawyer, clever politician and
intently whenever I briefed him and never above all a humane person. His personal
once made me feel that I was not important relationships with thousands of people he
enough. If I showed him an interesting came across run very deep. It was very
judgement or suggested a new proposition, usual for politicians from all political
he would think about it and present it in the parties to seek his guidance and advice. He
most articulate manner to the Court. He was a true friend to each of them.
was one senior who never made the briefing His tryst with the law is something that
junior nervous and even if the Court was he was very fond of. Even during the time
upset with a piece of drafting or some when he did not practice and was in
procedural error, he would take the blame Parliament, he was up to date with all
upon himself. This singular character of his legal developments and almost everyone
made him enormously popular with briefing associated with the legal space were free to
lawyers. The innumerable number of young access him. If anyone approached him for
lawyers who must have briefed him would help, he NEVER said no. He was the trust
vouch for this. of most people, though many may have not
<39>
lived up to his trust. He however never had interest’ would be a relevant

a revengeful attitude towards anyone and consideration in dealing with a case
was pleasant with all. involving a cancer drug, following the
Some anecdotal experiences from the ebay judgement of the US Supreme
time I briefed his as a lawyer - Court. In the appeal, when the matter
He initially used to say that he had not was heard by the Division Bench, the
done many IPR matters but during my then Chief Justice commented at the
years as an IPR lawyer, he was a senior I start of the hearing, “Mr. Jaitley, do you
had briefed in a large number of matters. think your client is Robin Hood?” In
At the time when private broadcasting response, Jaitley sir closed the file and
had just commenced in India, some of the presented for almost an hour on how the
most interesting copyright matters have product patent regime had come to be
been argued by Jaitley Sir. Humour was a enacted in India and its complete
part of his courtcraft. I recall when we background including the WTO
were doing a case involving `Harry Potter’ negotiations. I, to this day, regret the fact
suing a film titled `Hari Puttar’ -- he would that his arguments that day were not
pronounce the two names in a manner so recorded and preserved for progeny.
as to make them sound different - using an Thereafter came the first patent linkage
anglicised accent for the former and a desi case, Bayer Vs. Cipla, wherein Jaitley sir
Hindi accent for the latter. The whole court had to argue that the grant of drug
would be in splits! approval cannot be linked with the granted
He had immense background on the patent. These two cases argued by him
WTO agreement and TRIPS - having were the first two pharmaceutical patent
taken part in the Cancun negotiations as cases in India which are cited to this day.
the Commerce minister in the late 90s - I recall clearly that when the Novartis
early 2000s. Thus, one of the first patent judgement was pronounced by the
cases involving product patents in the Supreme Court, while I was walking down
pharmaceutical industry - the Hoffman la the stairs outside Court 1 of the Supreme
Roche Vs. Cipla case - was argued by him. Court, after the pronouncement, he called
I recall that the suit was filed in January and asked about the judgement - he was
2008 and we just barely had 4-5 days to then Leader of opposition. When he argued
prepare our defence as Roche was all these cancer drug matters - little did we
insisting on an interim injunction. He know that he would one day be a victim of
was extremely happy to prepare for cancer himself.
several hours as it was a completely new When my family instituted the
field where there was no judgement from scholarship in Cambridge University and
any Indian court. We mostly cited foreign invited him to be a chief guest at one of the
law and the Court accepted that `public events, he called this as the CSR for
<40>
lawyers - which evoked a smiling applause ICU last week in AIIMS, one of the on-
from the audience. lookers said, while lying on the stretcher in
Jaitley sir was the go-to man for hospital clothes, he gave a thumbs-up.
everyone in the legal profession. He was Such was his indomitable spirit - but
extremely popular and was kind to the Bar. nature willed otherwise.
When my consent was asked for He was a man who believed in
elevation and we asked for his opinion - he enormous hard work - whichever role he
was very clear and said “You have earned donned - A young student leader, lawyer,
enough. Its time to serve now.” There were Parliamentarian, Minister etc., He was a
no two thoughts. true Karmayogi.
Since 2014, his health has had ups and As it is said birth and death are a
downs and what we could never imagine constant. But for those of us who knew him
was such sudden deterioration of his - Jaitley Sir was a constant in our lives.
health. We always thought that his That constant is gone ………………..
fighting spirit would make him bounce Rest in peace Jaitley sir. Continue to
back but destiny did not give him a chance. bless all of us wherever you are.
He fought very hard in the last few months (The writer is a Justice with Delhi
- even on the day he was wheeled into the High Court)
<41>
A Generous Boss, And A Friend

One Could Always Count On
August 25, 2019/Times of India
<42>
A GENEROUS BOSS, AND A FRIEND ONE COULD ALWAYS COUNT ON
Maninder Singh
I
met Arun Jaitley for the first time had settled after my parents came from
when he was on his usual evening walk Pakistan after Partition. When I lost my
on the fourth floor of the lawyers’ father that year, Jaitley was one of the first
chamber building in Delhi high court in the to arrive at my modest home. This picture
late 1980s. I was just out of college and he, of Jaitley’s inexhaustible compassion for
at 35, was already regarded as a stalwart. others only grew larger with time.
His corridor walks allowed him to interact Jaitley had defended V P Singh and his
with young juniors working in different son Ajey Singh in the FERA proceedings
chambers. Talents among them seldom launched against him after he raked up the
missed his sharp eye. Bofors issue. Eventually, Singh became
Call it my luck or hard-working nature, prime minister and he decided to appoint
Jaitley once sent for me to assist him in Jaitley as additional solicitor general,
challenging a preventive detention. I was which till then was customarily offered to
asked to prepare the case and strategy. He lawyers designated as senior advocates.
argued it lucidly and was at his persuasive Jaitley had not been designated but Singh
best. We won the case, and he generously was adamant about breaking the tradition
gave me a lion’s share of the fee paid to to avail Jaitley’s legal acumen as a law
him. Wonder which senior lawyer would officer. In January 1990, he got designated.
nurture his junior in this way. Designation or not, Jaitley had already
His enthusiasm, honesty, hard work and established himself as a young stalwart by
eye for detail while preparing to argue a then.
case was infectious. I dare say he was a Central agency, the body which
workaholic who did not lose the smile even distributes case files to law officers a day
after working for 18 hours a day almost on before the hearing, is notorious for sending
a regular basis, even on Saturdays and the files only by around 10pm. Jaitley
Sundays. He and his wife Sangeeta would would get ready with the cases by burning
ensure that all chamber juniors had their the midnight oil along with juniors and
lunch and dinner even on those appear fully prepared the next day before
excruciatingly busy days. the court. He neither complained nor lost
Jaitley didn’t care about his own stature his cool despite working way beyond
or fame when it came to his chamber midnight.
juniors or those he knew well. He might As a law officer, he discovered a practice
skip a happy occasion but seldom missed a of the office to prepare bills in advance in
prayer meeting for a bereaved friend. In the morning, prior to the actual hearing of
sorrow, he was always there. the case. He decided to change it and
In 1989, I was living with family in the signed only those bills which were raised in
Refugee Colony in Karol Bagh, where we cases where he had appeared before the
<43>
A GENEROUS BOSS, AND A FRIEND ONE COULD ALWAYS COUNT ON
court. Once, he tore a bill which was raised present, and had many friends including
for a case hearing that had been adjourned lawyers, journalists, entrepreneurs and
by the Supreme Court. I remember him politicians cutting across party lines.
saying: “I must kill this temptation of He was the first among the senior
raising false bills now so that I do not get lawyers to look after his staff by religiously
tempted in future.” remitting 10% of his fees in the clerkage
Money never tempted him. He was account. When a sufficient amount got
honest to the core. But he had a weakness accumulated thanks to the roaring practice
for good food, despite being a diabetic he had, Jaitley put the entire amount at
from young age. He struggled to suppress my disposal for purchase of 2-3 bedroom
his craving for sweets. But, he remained flats for each of the staff members. It
a teetotaler and a non-smoker his entire pleased him most when the staff got their
life. own flats in the vicinity of his Kailash
He had the gift of an elephantine Colony residence-cum-office. Rare are such
memory. He would remember the minutest people who think and do so much for
of details, both professional and personal, others.
of many of those he met him as a lawyer or (Singh is a senior Supreme Court
a politician. He was an encyclopaedia of advocate and a long-time associate
anecdotes, dating decades back to the of Mr Jaitley)
<44>
A Titan Goes Away Too Soon

August 25, 2019/The Pioneer
<45>
A TITAN GOES AWAY TOO SOON
Chandan Mitra
A
run Jaitley and I became friends but Jaitley and I have been steadfast
well before we met each other in friends regardless.
Delhi University in 1977. Quite A multi-talented, multi-tasking
surprisingly I got a postcard, checked and person, he was equally fluent in English,
stamped by Tihar Jail authorities from the Hindi and Punjabi which probably gave
president of Delhi University Students’ him the confidence to contest the Lok
Union (DUSU). The contents were brief Sabha poll from Amritsar in 2014 which
and only requested me to raise the issue of unfortunately he lost to Captain
permission to the interned DUSU Amarinder Singh, current Chief Minister
president to take his MA Final Exams in of Punjab. But unfazed as always, Jaitley
Law, permission which required clearance rose up the political ranks, becoming
from the University’s Academic Council of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s
which I was then a Student Member. confidant and India’s second most
Although I did not personally know Jaitley important political personality, at least
then and our college, namely, St Stephen’s, till the rise of Amit Shah. He was adept at
was not remotely involved in University managing party affairs across the
politics, I thought it to be my democratic country and combined affability and
duty to help an unfairly interned authority in equal measure. His one
opposition leader to be allowed to sit for his weakness was food, especially Punjabi
examination. cuisine, a passion he was forced to
Despite some opposition in the abandon due to mounting diabetes some
Academic Council, Jaitley’s plea was years ago. A friend of friends, he
granted and I shortly received another meticulously kept in touch with them no
postcard conveying his thanks. Mercifully matter how busy he might have been.
the Emergency too was gasping for A crusader against corruption, Jaitley
breath by then and in mid-January that would be burning the midnight oil with
year, it was formally relaxed and many officials like Bhure Lal who was VP Singh’s
friends were released from custody. self-appointed anti-corruption bulldog.
We became good friends thereafter, In 1977 when the Janata Party came
especially as I was a University Coffee to power, he was named as the nascent
House aficionado and progressively he too party’s National Executive member, a
became one. This was despite our rare honour for such a young man. But
political differences (I was a Leftist those the next day’s newspapers front paged
days, the Calcutta effect had not worn off) the headline that he had turned the offer
but this did not come in the way of our down. Many friends were astonished.
deepening friendship. I have changed Bewildered, I asked Jaitley why he
political persuasions several times since, spurned the honour. He called me aside
<46>
A TITAN GOES AWAY TOO SOON
on the Coffee House courtyard and said, These are nuggets of the wisdom that
“Remember, you should get involved in the ever articulate Jaitley always
politics only on your own resources, bequeathed to his friends over time. That
otherwise there will always be the is why he is incomparable and
temptation to accumulate easy money unforgettable.
and you may go down the slippery slope (The writer is a former Rajya Sabha
and lose the respect you enjoy.” MP and Editor, The Pioneer)
<47>
An Asset To BJP In The Coalition Game

Aug 25, 2019/Times of India
<48>
AN ASSET TO BJP IN THE COALITION GAME
Swapan Dasgupta
T
here are some things that are very loyal to Jana Sangh and then BJP - having
difficult to write about. It is even been jailed for the full 19 months of
more difficult when a very close Emergency. He had also been the president
personal friendship going back four of DUSU during the turbulent days of the
decades also involves a public personality. JP movement and had brought JP to
How much of the private persona should address a huge student rally at Maurice
intrude into the public space? Nagar in late 1974. Yet, despite this strong
My first encounters with Arun Jaitley political commitment, the image of being a
in 1972-73 were casual. As a junior technocrat, rather than a politician, never
member of the St Stephen’s College really left him.
debating fraternity, I was slightly in awe The reality was very different. Arun
of the much more accomplished Arun who could laugh, joke, discuss law, cricket and
was the stalwart of Shri Ram College. But Hindi films with his circle of friends - a few
it was not his eloquence that was of whom were in BJP. He could also be the
appealing. At a time when Jana Sangh charming socialite - though he never drank
was regarded as a bunch of boorish Hindi- and would start yawning by 11pm. But
Hindu bumpkins by my anglicised peer when it came to hard politics, Arun’s
group, I was intrigued how a man, fluent commitment was unflinchingly ideological.
in both English and Hindi, and a thorough He supported every ‘Hindu’ turn of BJP,
cosmopolitan, could be associated with particularly the decision to make Ayodhya
Jana Sangh. Somehow it seemed a political plank; he plotted the removal of
incongruous. This was a familiar Articles 370 and 35A many months before
prejudice and one that extends to the the Bill was moved; he was shocked and
present-day BJP. offended when L K Advani mouthed
Arun, it is said by both his admirers and praises of Jinnah in Pakistan; and he was
detractors, was the proverbial bridge among the most enthusiastic champions of
between elite, cosmopolitan India and the Narendra Modi from 1999. When it came to
more authentic nationalists that the party’s ‘core’ beliefs, Arun never
dominated BJP. That was true but it is wavered and never had doubts.
only half the story. By the time he entered Where he was a little different was in
Parliament in 1999 during the AB his approach to economics. Arun was
Vajpayee government, Arun was already a instinctively pro-market and a reformer;
part of India’s Establishment. With a he hated socialism of the type practised in
thriving and lucrative legal practice and on India. Most important, he loathed
first name terms with India’s top lawyers corruption and his personal uprightness
and judges, he was a public figure in was coupled with his insistence on
Lutyens’ Delhi. He had been unflinchingly integrity.
<49>
AN ASSET TO BJP IN THE COALITION GAME
His distinctiveness lay in his ability to through the verbiage and address the core
wear his convictions lightly. That is why he issue. In 2002 and 2009, he ran the entire
was an asset to BJP in the difficult game of backroom operations of BJP, giving
coalition building. Arun’s friendships cut Narendra Modi the elbow room to focus on
across parties and even across social campaigning. In 2019, despite his illness, he
groups. He had served V P Singh as an briefed party spokespersons each morning
additional solicitor general, resigning after on what to focus on and what to avoid.
BJP withdrew support. He knew the entire Part of Arun’s charm lay in his ability to
Janata parivar - from Lalu Yadav and cull information - some mistook this for
Nitish Kumar to Sharad Yadav - idle gossip. He had an encyclopaedic
intimately. He could build a rapport with memory. The media loved him for his
Jayalalithaa, Mamata Banerjee and openness. In Central Hall of Parliament,
Naveen Patnaik. And his links with he invariably had a darbar around him.
Congress stalwarts were well known, But Arun could also guard secrets fiercely.
coming in useful in the daunting business He knew where private life stopped and
of parliamentary politics. public duties began.
This understanding of the other side was Arun had many years of political life left
to prove invaluable in crafting political, but before him. Alas, fate intervened. We will
particularly electoral, strategy. He was a miss him terribly.
thorough professional when it came to (The writer is a columnist and
political communications and could cut a Rajya Sabha MP)
<50>
A Man Of Open Heart And Mind,

Arun Jaitley Had Friends Across Divide
August 25, 2019/Indian Express
<51>
A MAN OF OPEN HEART AND MIND, ARUN JAITLEY HAD FRIENDS ACROSS DIVIDE
Coomi Kapoor
I
n my last interaction with Arun He was proud that the children of his
Jaitley less than a month ago, he office staff had performed extremely well
made a stray comment which could in their respective professions, thanks to
well serve as his epitaph. He said he made his generosity and encouragement.
it a point to help whenever he was in a Jaitley was among the first to
position to do so and he had been amply appreciate the talent of Narendra Modi
rewarded by the goodwill he enjoyed - he when he was a faceless party general
was speaking in the context of an secretary in Delhi in the 1990s. In 2010,
opposition leader who found himself when Amit Shah was briefly externed
friendless in his recent legal difficulties. from Gujarat, one often found Shah
Jaitley, 66, was a man who touched the sitting in a corner of Jaitley’s office in
lives of most with whom he interacted. At Parliament. Till almost the very end,
the All India Institute of Medical Jaitley remained in regular touch with
Sciences, as news of his death spread, the Prime Minister and the Home
people from all walks of life - from Minister, even though he had refused to
ministers and tycoons to party workers, accept any ministerial post in the new
lawyers to family friends - wept openly as government because of his failing health.
they crowded the corridors of the hospital He may have been a member of a party
to pay their last respects, with security at that’s considered by its detractors as
a minimum. The moist eyes and ashen closed-minded, but he himself remained a
faces in the spheres in which he once held liberal humanist, always ready to listen to
sway - the courts, Parliament, the cricket views which differed from his own. Once
fraternity, the media, the Lodhi Gardens, when I commented that he was looking
the world of commerce, the corridors of very grim in a newspaper photograph in
power, BJP offices - reflect the universal which he had an elaborate saffron
affection in which he was held. A lawyer headgear, he admitted candidly that he
who has fought many legal battles against felt uncomfortable with such trappings.
Jaitley’s government told me at the When others in his party were bending
hospital today, “He was the last good man over backwards to prove their party
in politics.’’ loyalty during the controversial 2017 vote
He was one of the most generous men I for a Rajya Sabha seat from Gujarat -
knew, ever ready to extend a helping Ahmed Patel was the Congress candidate
hand. Many of the people he mentored are and the BJP resorted to some arm
today in key positions in government, twisting - he was asked by a journalist in
several ministers in Modi’s cabinet are his Parliament on which side was he on. He
protégés. His former juniors in the law replied simply, “I am for democracy.’’ His
practice have risen high in the profession. enlightened, flexible touch, which often
<52>
softened his party’s rigid and dogmatic anecdote which had not escaped his eagle
approach, will be much missed in the eye. He was a brilliant raconteur who was
government. the centre of attraction in many a
He had many close friends across the gathering, whether in Lodhi Gardens
political divide. Pranab Mukherjee, as the after a walk or at a dinner party. He had
UPA’s finance minister, confessed at an intimate knowledge of men and matters,
Idea Exchange programme of The Indian partly because people tended to confide in
Express that the man he most admired him and partly because of his prodigious
from the Opposition ranks was Jaitley, memory. The term “Khan Market set’’ was
then Leader of the Opposition in Rajya first coined by him, as were many other
Sabha. As a student leader during JP’s such witticisms. Such was the goodwill he
agitation, he became close to fellow enjoyed in the legal fraternity that when
students from Bihar, Lalu Prasad Yadav he campaigned for the Amritsar seat in
and Nitish Kumar, who were his 2014, scores of Delhi’s top lawyers took
contemporaries in the movement. time off from their high-paying billable
Congress leaders such as Jyotiraditya hours to stomp the streets of the city for
Scindia and Rajiv Shukla were family him.
friends. During Modi’s first government in
Amarinder Singh may have defeated 2014, Jaitley was the PM’s trusted point
him in the Amritsar Lok Sabha person with the Opposition and the
constituency in 2014, but the two media. He was also a sounding board for
remained in touch. He had a long many government appointments since
association with the Badals of the Akali Modi was new to the Capital’s corridors of
Dal. His numerous contacts benefited his power. It was indicative of the faith Modi
party in stitching up alliances, reaching reposed in Jaitley, as perhaps also
political agreements and fire-fighting. For evidence of a lack of experience in the
instance, at a farewell dinner for Pranab Cabinet, that in the initial months,
Mukherjee as President in 2017, Jaitley Jaitley was put in charge of the heavy
tipped off Nitish Kumar that Lalu Prasad portfolios of Finance, Commerce and
was planning to break his party. In the Defence and also asked to look after the
bargain, Jaitley sewed up an alliance Information and Broadcasting ministry
between the JD(U) and BJP in Bihar. temporarily.
He was always a favourite of the My first introduction to Jaitley was
media. Parliament correspondents would back in 1974 during Indira Gandhi’s
wait eagerly for him to make an regime when I was a cub reporter and
appearance in Central Hall in the covered the victory of the handsome,
afternoons, since he invariably had some articulate student leader from the ABVP,
juicy tidbit to relate or a humorous who had defeated the NSUI candidate,
<53>
*Brij Mohan Bhama, in the Delhi Jaitley was in and out of the Express
University Students Union election. In building, a part of which the government
those days, Congress organisations even threatened to demolish. He carefully
dominated every sphere, so the victory vetted the newspaper’s major campaigns
was a major breakthrough. And unlike against the powers that be to ensure that
many student-politicians, his academic nothing was libellous. He always retained
record at the prestigious Shri Ram a special affection for the newspaper, even
College of Commerce was equally when he did not always agree with its
impressive. As a student leader, Jaitley views.
played an active role in the JP movement. It was V P Singh who, as Prime
When Emergency was declared on June Minister, gave Jaitley his first big break
26, 1975, there was a warrant out for his in the profession by appointing him
arrest. He escaped police by jumping over Additional Solicitor General in 1989 at
the rear wall of his house. Nevertheless by the young age of 36. Jaitley played an
midday, he organised a student rally in active role in the Bofors investigations.
Delhi University against Indira Gandhi. When Atal Bihari Vajpayee was sworn in
He spent the next 19 months in jail, but as Prime Minister in 1999, Jaitley did not
never let imprisonment bring his spirits always get the positions he might have
down. As he once observed to me, “You aspired for - he was seen initially as L K
could create your own world inside the Advani’s man and Pramod Mahajan, who
prison. If you were young and thinking of had the blessings of the RSS, viewed him
fighting the Emergency, you did not get as competition. But when given
demoralised.’’ In jail, he continued with responsibility as a Minister of State in
his legal studies, got a first class in his portfolios such as Law, Information and
second-year law, and made friends with Broadcasting, and Corporate Affairs, he
people from various Opposition parties. proved his mettle. When his party was out
He also met my husband Virendra of office, Jaitley, apart from being the
Kapoor, a fellow MISA detenu, and they party general secretary and one of the
remained lifelong friends. chief spokespersons, also pursued his
After the election of the Janata legal practice. He was regarded as one of
government in 1977, Jaitley completed his the country’s leading senior counsel. One
law degree and established himself as a of his juniors recalls with awe his
promising lawyer. The Indian Express elephantine memory and his ability to
founder Ramnath Goenka, struck by his grasp the crux of a case in a few minutes
acumen, appointed him as the of reading a brief.
newspaper’s legal adviser. By 1980, the In 2009, his party appointed him
newspaper was fighting the Indira Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha
Gandhi government on several fronts. and he had to give up his legal practice,
<54>
which meant a considerable financial in GST, considered the most important

sacrifice. Though he did have a weakness economic reform since liberalisation.
for collecting expensive pens, watches and With his legal background and friendly
shawls, his culinary tastes were simple relationships with leaders across parties,
with Amritsari fish and bhatura being his he played a significant role in fine-tuning
favoured menu. There was never a hint of important legislation in both the UPA
corruption throughout his career. Arvind and NDA governments for a decade,
Kejriwalonce alleged that there were including the Anti Defection and Triple
malpractices when Jaitley headed the Talaq Bills.
Delhi District Cricket Association for 13 Jaitley was dogged by ill health soon
years. Facing a defamation case, the Delhi after he took oath in 2014. He fought his
CM sheepishly apologised. health issues with fortitude and courage
When Modi was sworn in as Prime and never let the world know of the many
Minister in 2014, it was but natural that medical setbacks he faced. Almost till the
Jaitley would become a key figure in his end, he never gave up hope and continued
government since he was one of the few to fight the infections. His death leaves a
party seniors who backed Modi all the vacuum in current politics which will be
way from the beginning. As Finance difficult to fill.
Minister, he was responsible for ushering (Coomi Kapoor is a senior journalist)
<55>
Arun Jaitley's demise, an irreplaceable

loss to the nation
August 24, 2019/Hindustan Times
<56>
ARUN JAITLEY'S DEMISE, AN IRREPLACEABLE LOSS TO THE NATION
Ashok Malik
W
hen Thomas Jefferson took over for instance, how a wider social coalition
from Benjamin Franklin as the fronted by Mamata Banerjee could unseat
American diplomatic the Left, as indeed happened in 2011.
representative (ambassador, in today’s These multiple skills and talents make
terms) to France, an acquaintance in Paris is for a rare combination. To find them in one
supposed to have asked him: “Have you individual is special - and Arun Jaitley was
replaced Ben Franklin?” Jefferson, it is said, special. Yet, beyond this - much, much
shook his head: “No one can replace him. I beyond this - he had one attribute that made
have only succeeded him.” him an absolutely compelling friend,
Arun Jaitley’s passing at the relatively colleague, interlocutor and mentor: trust. He
young age of 66 will evoke a similar radiated trust. He was a good, decent man
sentiment. In the Bharatiya Janata Party beyond just clichés. He was a person who
(BJP), a party he faithfully served to the both a tycoon and an ordinary party worker
last; in the government - of which he was no in the BJP office could go to with a problem
longer minister but still a guidance and be assured of a fair hearing. He was the
counsellor - and in Indian public life more extraordinary man who will be mourned as
generally, Jaitley has and will be succeeded much within his party as outside - even by
by many. He will never be replaced. his adversaries.
There are many reasons for this. He was The Arun Jaitley story is a poignant saga
a rare professional politician who brought of scholarship and sacrifice, hard work and
the professional’s discipline and ethic to diligence, and of the dignity and quiet pride
politics. He understood law and the modern of a self-made individual. Nothing came easy
world of business and technology. Equally, he to him; every penny he earned, he often said,
grasped the civilisational and philosophical was accounted for and reported to the tax
imperatives and motivations of the BJP and authorities. For many years, he was not just
wider Sangh Parivar. He was comfortable in one of India’s best lawyers but also one of
English-speaking living rooms. He was as India’s highest tax payers. That point is
much at home in spending late nights with important not to emphasise his professional
regional and constituency politicians - success - but to establish the correctness and
whether from the BJP or allied parties - rectitude that he made his calling card.
stitching together caste coalitions that were The Jaitley family came to Delhi as
formidable and often unbeatable. Gujarat, struggling Partition refugees. Like many
Bihar, Punjab, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, others who were similarly situated, the
Bengal - diverse political geographies -- are family’s political affiliations tended towards
testimony to Jaitley’s astuteness. Even when the Jana Sangh. In the early 1970s, having
he failed - Bengal 2006 is an example - he finished school at St Xavier’s and entered
read the long-term trend right. He predicted, Shri Ram College of Commerce, Jaitley was
<57>
drawn to student politics and to the Akhil and escape on his (the fellow activist’s)
Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad. In that scooter. When he reached the appointed
turbulent era, with India in a welter of location - apparently after scaling a wall - he
storms, opposition to Indira Gandhi, the found the scooter and its driver had
prime minister and establishment figure, vanished. Jaitley walked back to have a
came naturally. It made Jaitley a magnetic toast and some tea, realising arrest was
figure at Delhi University. inevitable. Soon enough, a burly police
It was during his days in student politics officer grabbed him by the collar.
that life-long friendships were formed. An Nineteen months as a political prisoner
incident is worth recounting here. One day, were a defining experience. It also cost him
as freshers were enrolling at Shri Ram academically. Other students too suffered,
College, Jaitley was hanging around as but Jaitley’s treatment was particularly
senior students often do. Among the freshers vindictive. “It was seen that in one case the
was Rajat Sharma, from a poor family, just Delhi University agreed to open a special
out of a municipal school. While paying his centre … just a mile from Tihar Jail,” the
admission fees. Sharma was down to Justice J.C. Shah commission report was to
counting one rupee notes and coins, Jaitley - later say, but it was to no avail. The “one
who didn’t know Sharma at all - noticed this, case” was that of Arun Jaitley, the law
walked up and helped out. A small gesture student who lost a year.
led to a lifelong bond - and to a debt that was Imprisonment during the Emergency
very minor but could never be repaid. burnished Jaitley’s credentials. He could
To his last day, Jaitley counted Sharma - have apologised and compromised, like so
now a media star - as one of his closest many others did, but he stayed true to his
friends. Frankly, just so many who were principles and his political colleagues. It
touched by Arun Jaitley’s innate goodness explains why, despite erroneous and
and warmth and magical empathy have uninformed media reports in later years,
similar stories to tell. His friends would have there was never any question of a rupture
marched to hell to defend him; they always between the wider Sangh Parivar and him.
will. He had passed the ultimate test in the 1975-
Emergency was proclaimed in June 1975 77 period and emerged as a hero of the
and civil liberties were suspended. As Emergency. No one of any consequence in
president of the Delhi University Students’ the BJP has ever forgotten that.
Union - he had enrolled for a law degree It was initially proposed that Jaitley
after graduating from Shri Ram College - contest the Lok Sabha election in 1977.
Jaitley was among the earliest to be Given the Janata Party wave that year, he
arrested. It was a dramatic episode. Having would have won easily. However, political
organised a small protest on the university seniors took the decision for him. They urged
campus, he was due to join a fellow activist that he build a legal career, recognising his
<58>
acumen. That decision changed the course of years. Neither is it because Jaitley worked
his life. It also gave him the wisdom to for Modi’s electoral victories in Gujarat and
understand - and to share with others - that was his strongest backer as he moved from
it was important to complement politics with Gandhinagar to the centre-stage of the BJP
an independent professional reputation and and of national politics between the
source of income. It was advise he freely and summers of 2013 and 2014.
meaningfully shared with the many, many Far removed in tastes and habits, they
people - not all of them in politics - that he intuitively shared the same sense of
unstintingly mentored. righteousness, and were guided by the same
Arun Jaitley’s circle (or circles) of friends moral compass. It showed during the
was enormous. The BJP and the political government of 2014-19 - in the Modi-Jaitley
world gave him cherished comrades and team’s unwillingness to evergreen bank
colleagues, revered seniors and admiring loans, to finance giveaways and loan write-
juniors. Some friends went back to student offs, or to compromise on fiscal deficit targets
politics and other to the legal fraternity. just to win short-term political popularity.
Others were befriended in the post- When he believed in something, Arun Jaitley
Emergency civil liberties watchdog could be very obstinate - as obstinate and as
institutions. Some co-activists of that era steadfast as Narendra Modi. No wonder
moved to the left and became hostile to the Jaitley was an obvious, able and steady first
BJP, but Jaitley always maintained an mate as Modi took command of the
equation and a polite working relationship government in 2014.
with them; at times this was politically The mutual affection is difficult to grasp,
useful for his party, but that’s another story. especially in the otherwise brutal universe of
His various interests - from cricket to politics. Jaitley was the man Modi could ask
cinema, Hindi film songs to travel, and of for advice, or from he could receive blunt
course food - expanded his circle still further. counsel, even occasional disagreement,
As a media spokesperson, interlocutor and knowing the other man had no angle, no
manager, Indian politics has seen few like conspiratorial motive, no hidden agenda.
him. With Arun Jaitley, what you saw was
All of these people, all of these diverse what you got; and if warmth, laughter and
groups and different communities will goodwill are a man’s measure, Arun Jaitley
mourn his passing. For his wife Dolly and possessed and gave a lot.
their children the loss will be greatest. For Goodbye my friend. The angels are lucky
one other individual, too, the departure of to have you.
Arun Jaitley will leave a gap impossible to (Ashok Malik is a distinguished fellow at
fill: Prime Minister Narendra Modi. the Observer Research Foundation,
This is not just because the two had been and a former press secretary to the
friends and party colleagues for over 40 President of India.)
<59>
Arun Jaitley's Relationships Ranged Far and

Wide, But the Defining Equation in His Life
Would Be with Narendra Modi
<60>
ARUN JAITLEY'S RELATIONSHIPS RANGED FAR AND WIDE, BUT THE DEFINING EQUATION
IN HIS LIFE WOULD BE WITH NARENDRA MODI
Saba Naqvi
I
t’s hard to believe this in these from many Indian politicians in that he
polarised times, but Arun Jaitley was a had a genuine circle of friends whom he
figure who straddled politics in the loved chatting with.
national capital, and had some very warm Within BJP, Jaitley was possibly most
equations with people that were not BJP adept at striking warm equations with
loyalists. He will be missed by many people he liked notwithstanding their
journalists, lawyers, bureaucrats and political lineage. Take his friendship with
doctors, who maintained excellent Rajeev Nayyar (son of late journalist,
relations with this most gregarious Kuldeep Nayyar) also a lawyer who knew
politician, even if they disagreed with him. Jaitley for decades. I once asked Rajeev if
He was never a mass politician but they ever discussed political ideology and
arguably the single most significant person he said, “The main thing is that Arun looks
in the ecosystem in Delhi that emerged out for friends.”
around media, the legal profession and But the defining equation in Jaitley’s
politics. Jaitley was the man who knew life would be with Narendra Modi. Their
how the system works both as Leader of relationship was cemented during the post-
the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha during Godhra riots phase when Jaitley weighed
the years of UPA rule and as the most in on Modi’s side and in the process
significant link to the Delhi ecosystem, alienated himself from Atal Bihari
when Prime Minister Narendra Modi made Vajpayee. Indeed, in 2001, Jaitley was
his move from Gujarat to the national among those who had lobbied with LK
capital. Advani to send Modi as chief minister to
Jaitley’s talents also lay in his ability to Gujarat - a major decision at that time as
be the fire fighter for any public relations Modi was the first full-time RSS pracharak
disaster that hit BJP. His innumerable to be directly inducted into mass politics.
connections helped and they were partly Ever since, Modi and Jaitley worked
built on his ability to forge old world ties together comfortably, the former evolving
that bind. He was temperamentally into a charismatic public speaker who is
talkative, sociable and a great host, who reportedly quiet in private, the latter
would set a fine table - and then proceed to loquacious in closed circles but not so great
describe each food item in considerable at mass contact.
detail. Over the years Jaitley, who had a great
He had risen to be one of India’s top sense of humour, made many memorable
lawyers, a practice he had built himself and good-natured wisecracks about
and did not inherit. He inspired affection colleagues, gave them nicknames,
among many lawyer colleagues and recounted funny anecdotes. But I never
associates and was in the end different heard him speak lightly about Modi. In
<61>
ARUN JAITLEY'S RELATIONSHIPS RANGED FAR AND WIDE, BUT THE DEFINING EQUATION
IN HIS LIFE WOULD BE WITH NARENDRA MODI
2007, while covering Modi’s second keep writing his daily blogs as the election
electoral campaign during the assembly kicked off in India. But he said the
elections in Gujarat, I asked Jaitley in treatment was more exhausting than the
Ahmedabad why he alienated Vajpayee in disease. He still had many perspectives to
helping out the then chief minister in share on the mandate and even managed
several legal and political wrangles. I got to lob a joke about a Congressman who had
this on the record reply: “I’ve known Modi come visiting.
for years. We’ve worked together in Delhi I said that when he got better, he should
much before he came to Gujarat and I see write his autobiography - from his days as
him as an exceptional talent.” This the ABVP president of the Delhi University
response came at a time when no one could Students Union, his incarceration during
have anticipated Modi being PM one day. the Emergency, his subsequent
I was summoned by Jaitley on June 25 appointment by the VP Singh regime as
this year. He was by then back in his old Additional Solicitor General at the age of
south Delhi residence having given up his 37, to his years in BJP. He smiled but said
ministerial bungalow. He was weak and he was struggling to read now. He survived
struggling to engage but still wanted to. He illness more cheerfully than anyone I have
told me that when he was diagnosed with ever known. His interest in life remained
soft tissue cancer in New York earlier this even as it was slipping away.
year, he found the best way to cope was to (Saba Naqvi is a veteran journalist)
<62>
Was Every Non-BJP Person's

Favourite BJP Person
August 25, 2019/Outlook
<63>
WAS EVERY NON-BJP PERSON'S FAVOURITE BJP PERSON
Shashi Tharoor
I
first met Arun Jaitley in 1974, when Later, when the Emergency came and
we were both students at Delhi Arun, like many other student leaders, was
University-he the president of the detained, I wondered whether I had done
Delhi University Students” Union (DUSU), the right thing.
and I the president of the St Stephen”s By then I had gone off to graduate school
College Students” Union Society. DUSU in the US, and followed the nation”s politics
was a stronghold of the ABVP, of which from afar; three years later I joined the UN,
Arun was a leading light, and my union while Arun emerged as a smart and
was resolutely non-political; St Stephen”s successful lawyer in Delhi and budding
did not permit any of the political parties” politician, as national president of the
student movements to affiliate any student ABVP. We were not regularly in touch, but
on our campus. Still, we got along well. I on my visits to Delhi, mutual friends,
was 18, and he was just shy of 22, but the notably Chandan Mitra and Raian
age difference quickly dissolved in mutual Karanjiwala, would host dinners for me to
respect. To my surprise, he endorsed my which they invited Arun, who was close to
candidacy for the Academic Council of the both of them. As a result I developed a
University, which elected one student personal fondness for him quite distinct
representative; he told me that even if we from my increasingly vehement
did not see eye-to-eye politically, he felt a disagreement with his political views. This
student of my accomplishments was what persisted when I finally returned to India at
the council needed. (It is another matter the end of my UN career and joined politics.
that his support cost me that of many Though we were now on opposite ends of the
liberal and minority students who had political spectrum, we resumed a cordial
showed up intending to vote for me, but friendship. I dropped in to see him once in a
changed their mind when they thought I while, even when I was a Union minister
might be the ABVP”s candidate; as a result and he was Leader of the Opposition, and he
this became the first of the only two returned the compliment. When my wife
elections I have ever lost!) passed away, he came home and spent an
We parted company on the JP "Total hour with me as I sat bereft, shell-shocked
Revolution" movement, of which he was an and inconsolable.
enthusiastic supporter. Though I greatly Arun was the consummate Delhi
admired JP, and privately attended a insider, a sought-after guest at every Delhi
hugely impressive discussion in his favour soiree and perfectly at home in all sorts of
at the Gandhi Peace Foundation, I stuck to company. He was a bon vivant, clever and
the Stephanian line that my union would witty in conversation, with a twinkling-
remain resolutely non-political, and eyed taste for gossip and an intimate
refused to overtly support the movement. knowledge of the foibles and peccadilloes of
<64>
WAS EVERY NON-BJP PERSON'S FAVOURITE BJP PERSON
every notable denizen of Lutyens”s Delhi, come by to visit him. He said he was
which he enjoyed recounting with relish. grateful for the call but was not up to
(Sometimes, it must be said, I did wonder receiving many visitors, and said we would
what he was saying about me behind my meet before long. That day never came.
back, so effectively did he skewer people I With Arun”s passing, the nation has lost
thought were his friends.) His frankness a fine public servant, a minister of rare
was leavened by his accessibility to all: distinction and a man whose interventions-
non-political friends and media loved him. whether in speeches or blogs-made
No wonder he was known as "every non- significant contributions to the national
BJP person”s favourite BJP person". discourse. The BJP, too, has lost one of its
Arun and I had other interests in few public figures who could reach easily
common, notably cricket. As a prominent across the aisle and appeal to
cricket administrator, he knew more about constituencies who were not considered
how the game worked in India than most. "natural" supporters of the party. His
He was wise and insightful about global talent for conciliation and comradeship,
trends: when I was still at the UN, he told transcending ideologies and political
me that India”s position in the loyalties, will be sorely missed in our
International Cricket Council was increasingly polarised politics.
equivalent to the United States” in the UN The BJP has now lost five leaders and
Security Council, a parallel I found ministers in their prime: Ananth Kumar at
revealing and eye-opening. As a 59, Anil Dave at 60, Manohar Parrikar at
parliamentarian, he was superb: it was a 63, Sushma Swaraj at 66 and now Arun
pleasure questioning him in the Lok Sabha Jaitley at the same age. It is a sobering
because his answers were both realisation of how much politics and
knowledgeable and precise. When my governance takes out of people at their
party gave me the honour of speaking in peak, and also how depleted the senior
debates on his budget proposals, I could be ranks of our ruling party have become.
sure he would respond effectively to the India could ill afford to lose Arun Jaitley,
arguments he could rebut, while cheerfully and all patriots will mourn his untimely
ignoring those he had no answer to. departure.
My last conversation with him was (The writer is a Congress Lok Sabha
when he had just been taken ill again but MP from Thiruvananthapuram, a former
was at home, and I asked when I could Union Minister and diplomat)
<65>
A unique combination of knowledge,

intelligence and wisdom
<66>
A UNIQUE COMBINATION OF KNOWLEDGE, INTELLIGENCE AND WISDOM
Shaktikanta Das
F
or those of us who were in the GST. In early December, 2014 when the
Delhi University in the 1970s, Mr Constitution amendments were discussed
Jaitley was already a tall person. A in the empowered committee meeting, I
tall person in all senses of the term. saw on TV that several state finance
When he was released after spending 19 ministers were highly critical of the
months in jail following his arrest during Centre and suggested that at this rate,
Emergency, large groups of students GST could not be introduced. In the
wanted to meet him, just to shake hands afternoon, when the state finance
with him. He commanded a lot of respect ministers met Mr. Jaitley, he suggested
even during that time. that a small group of state FMs could
I got to know and work with him when meet him and discuss all issues in detail.
the government under Mr Narendra Modi In the evening, the way Mr Jaitley
was formed in 2014 and I was posted as handled the meeting was an experience.
revenue secretary. I joined on June 16 He heard them out and suggested that he
and the budget was to be presented could sit with them through the night to
within three weeks. Usually, ahead of discuss their concerns. But he insisted
budget presentation, there is a lot of that the matter needed to be resolved. He
anxiety for a new minister in a new showed that kind of determination.
government. But Mr Jaitley went about The state FMs came back around 8-
the process as if he had been doing it for 8.30 that evening and the meeting went
years. on till late in the night. We met the next
Mr. Jaitley was extremely day and again a few days later. He
knowledgeable on multiple and diverse negotiated with great skill - being very
subjects. He had a quick grasp over the firm, where it was required, and yet being
most complex of issues. Once, when we accommodating. For instance, he did not
were discussing a tax proposal, the CBDT yield on petroleum being kept out of GST
chairperson was explaining things on a but agreed that the date of levy could be
spread sheet even as he was glancing decided later. These meetings led to the
through it. He agreed to an issue which I introduction of the Constitution
thought was quite complex. So, I Amendment Bill later that month.
suggested that he could read further Similarly, on the Insolvency &
down the sheet, since there were court Bankruptcy Code, he recognized its
judgments on it. He immediately told me criticality as soon as we made the first
that he had read it and went on to explain presentation. He took it upon himself and
the judgments in detail. decided it had to be done without delay.
India will remember him for several The entire process, from the introduction
major structural reforms, the first being of the Bill to its enactment and
<67>
A UNIQUE COMBINATION OF KNOWLEDGE, INTELLIGENCE AND WISDOM
implementation, was done within a year, always remained calm. This enabled me
a record of sorts. and my team to go about our task without
Be it the monetary policy framework any pressure.
under the RBI Act, or the foreign black He was always very supportive and
money law, the Fugitive Economic would point out if we needed to make
Offenders Bill or FDI liberalization in some corrections. But he would do it in a
several sectors, Mr Jaitley pushed manner where you didn’t feel it. He
several landmark decisions. treated you as an equal.
He always maintained his composure There are three qualities, which are
and was totally unruffled. Even during important to become great - knowledge,
very challenging times like intelligence and wisdom. He was a unique
demonetization, when we were dealing combination of all three.
with supply of notes and trying to resolve (Shaktikanta Das is the Governor of
difficulties that were being reported, he Reserve Bank of India)
<68>
Jaitleyji Played with A Straight Bat,

Was Pure Class
August 25, 2019/ Hindustan Times
<69>
JAITLEYJI PLAYED WITH A STRAIGHT BAT, WAS PURE CLASS
Amrit Mathur
I
n the initial years of the Indian years ago as if uttered just the day before.
Premier League (IPL), the phone To the IPL, he was a huge support,
would ring early in the morning, with deftly navigating it in the initial period,
Mr Arun Jaitley, president of the DDCA, getting permissions and approvals. Delhi
on the line. These were routine calls-he is not the easiest place to work in but, to
just wanted to check if everything was the franchise, Mr Jaitley was a friend, an
fine. ally, a protector and an unfailing
That gesture, him calling instead of insurance cover. Each time there was an
me, was so typical of the generous and hiccup, a minor disagreement or dispute,
large-hearted person that was Mr Jaitley. all you had to do was to ask for help .To
Everything-protocol/position/seniority- us, he was the Supreme Court that
demanded I (the Chief Operating Officer resolved issues on merit, with complete
of Delhi Daredevils) report to him but he fairness.
was not bound by these things. He never Mr Jaitley took keen interest in the
let anybody know he was Arun Jaitley-a commercial results and the team’s on-
man of immense stature and enormous field performance. When Delhi recruited
power. a young Andre Russell (unknown at that
Cricket was dear to him, he could time even to some in the franchise
recall dates, players, their performances support staff) he surprised us by
from the past that would astonish even a commending the selection of the
statistician. No less was his interest in impactful all-rounder.
the progress of Delhi’s young cricketers. Interestingly, for someone who was a
It wasn’t unusual for Mr Jaitley to call all-rounder in public life, a genuine
Delhi selectors and coaches to check on multi-tasker like nobody else, he was
the progress of under-16, under-19 never in a hurry. Often when I’d take a
players they had not heard of! problem to him, the meeting would end in
In the 30 odd years I knew and worked a few minutes but he would insist on a
him in cricket, Mr Jaitley’s love for the cup of tea, and talk shop. This when 20
game always came through. Our others were waiting in the adjoining
conversations invariably and inevitably room, hoping for few minutes of his time!
centered on cricket. He could access facts In cricket, at the BCCI, he was the
quicker than google, precise to the ultimate go to person, such was his
smallest detail, extracting stats from his personal charm and universal appeal.
formidable memory with the effortless Whatever the issue, regardless of the
ease of a top lawyer. His recall was persons involved, Mr Jaitley would be
extraordinary, sometimes scary, as he objective. In the fragmented unruly
could refer to a chance remark made dynamics of the BCCI, he was an adviser,
<70>
JAITLEYJI PLAYED WITH A STRAIGHT BAT, WAS PURE CLASS
a problem solver, a consensus builder. He always, always played straight,

There can be no better example of a hitting across the line was never an
brilliant individual selflessly playing for option. His was a bat that had a big
the team. middle and no edges.
Much has been said about his taste for Cricket is about scoring runs but
food, and many know of his fondness for equally important is the manner of making
films, his admiration for Sahir Ludhianvi those runs. If the same yardstick is used to
and Dev Anand, his preference for limited judge people, the verdict can only be
edition fountain pens. unanimous: Jaitley ji was pure class!
Mr Jaitley was a man of many parts (Amrit Mathur worked with Jaitley in
but in all his roles, one quality stood out. the BCCI, later in the IPL)
<71>
A Benevolent Institution Builder

August 30, 2019/The Pioneer
<72>
A BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION BUILDER
Dr SC Vats
T
he untimely demise of former before the Delhi High Court. Our lawyers
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has advised us to hire a senior advocate and
been variously mourned as the suggested Jaitley’s name. I was
passing away of a political and legal acquainted with Jaitley but did not know
giant, a strategist par excellence, both in him too well. When I accompanied my
the court of law and in the people’s court, lawyer for a meeting with Jaitley, he
an erudite orator and above all, a great offered us a cup of coffee, heard us
human being. Jaitley’s acts of through and said, “Dr Vats, I am told that
benevolence touched many hearts and your law school is doing very well. In fact,
were duly mentioned by many people in my son refers to the tutorials that you
their remembrances. give to your students.” I was taken aback
However, there was one aspect of his and didn’t know how to react to this high
personality that was not written about praise.
much, and that was Jaitley, the Going back to the case at hand, Jaitley
institution builder. Today, the told my lawyer that it would be a long-
Vivekananda Institute of Professional drawn court battle needing several court
Studies (VIPS), the institution I head, appearances; nevertheless, he would
ranks among the top centres of higher fight for the institute.
education with state-of-the-art facilities. Amazingly, after the first hearing in
Each year, thousands of VIPS students the matter, he told his legal clerk not to
enter the fields of law, media, business raise any bills as he was offering his
and the IT sector. services pro bono because the future of
Unknown to them, they all have a students was at stake.
huge debt to pay to Jaitley because it is In all, there were over 20 hearings
due to his skills as a lawyer and his before the High Court and Jaitley, who
benevolence that they got their alma was a senior Supreme Court advocate,
mater. would appear for each of them. In case
More than a decade ago, the institute there was a delay for some reason like the
was given a five-acre plot by the Delhi DDA counsel not turning up, he would
Development Authority (DDA) for a hefty settle down in the High Court canteen,
sum. However, the DDA was not have cups of coffee while chatting with
forthright about the fact that there was a the lawyers there and wait for his turn
jhuggi cluster on the plot. The DDA before the Bench.
intended to hand over the plot to us There was only one hearing for which
without bothering to clear the settlement, he did not appear as there was a pressing
as it should have done. meeting of the Board of Control for
We filed a suit and the matter came up Cricket in India (BCCI) in Mumbai.
<73>
A BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION BUILDER
On the day of the final argument, faculty. Since he was recuperating from a
Jaitley spoke with erudition, authority, kidney transplant surgery, it was difficult
conviction and aplomb for nearly 45 for him to travel all the way to the VIPS
minutes. He concluded by saying that the campus in Pitam Pura. Jaitley requested
plot was meant for an educational for a venue in the heart of Delhi and
institution of eminence and not for a five- despite health restrictions, he arrived on
star hotel, hence, the land allocating time.
authority could not apply similar Once again he spoke with similar
parameters for handover. Needless to say, affection and enthusiasm for the
we got relief from the HC. It was a institution he had helped build. He spoke
monumental judgment that forced the about the new avenues in education and
DDA to revise its land allocation policy. how the art of photography not only
Thankfully, Jaitley’s association with encouraged creativity but also created
us did not end with the case and he began employment opportunities.
taking a keen interest in the development He encouraged young minds to move
of VIPS. In fact, he visited the VIPS off the beaten track and look for newer
campus twice after its completion. and richer employment avenues. Jaitley
His second visit to the campus was as was very clear that evening about his
Finance Minister and he took the time vision of ‘New India’, which he and his
out from his busy schedule to preside over long-time friend and comrade-in-arms
the convocation function. In his address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had got
he spoke like a true scholar and together to implement.
impressed the faculty and the students I am sure that Jaitley must have
alike with his knowledge of diverse helped several other institutions like
issues. VIPS to overcome obstacles created by
His last public function too was with obdurate systems. I cannot speak for
us, as a few days before his 66th birthday others but for us at VIPS, he shall ever
in December 2018, he agreed to release a remain a guiding star.
book on photography published by VIPS. (The writer is Chairman,
This book titled Wide Angle showcased Vivekananda Institute of Professional
my efforts and that of the students and Studies, GGSIP University, Delhi)
<74>
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DISCUSSANT_FRONT & BACK_INSIDE.qxd 2/13/1950 7:25 PM Page 2
THE DISCUSSANT
Editorial Advisory Committee
Professor Mahendra Prasad Singh
Former Head, Dept of Political Science, University of Delhi & Editor, IIPA Journal
Dr Chandan Mitra
Editor-in-chief, The Pioneer, New Delhi
Dr Rabi Narayan Kar
Principal, SLC (Shyam Lal College), University of Delhi
Professor JP Sharma
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University of Delhi
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Department of Political Science, University of Delhi
Professor NK Chadha
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Professor MP Sharma
Department of Hindi, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
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Dept of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
Sh Alok Jha, IRS
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Professor Ashok K Ghosh
Chairman, State Environmental Advisory Committee, Patna
Editorial Board
Professor Sidharth Mishra
Editor
Dr Sanjeev Kumar Tiwari
Co-Editor
Published and Printed by: Sidharth Mishra on behalf of
Centre for Reforms, Development and Justice

B-344, Nehru Vihar, Timarpur, Delhi -110054
and Printed at Om Printers, 324, Patparganj, Industrial Area, Delhi
website: www.crdj.in
email: president@crdj.in, sidharthmishra@hotmail.com, sanjeevtiwaridu@gmail.com
© The Discussant
The view expressed are those of the authors
Distribution: Global Books Organisation
9899071610; 9899521610
COVER.qxd 2/13/1950 7:25 PM Page 1
ISSN
COMING SOON
DISCUSSANT
THE DISCUSSANT
Volume - VII Number 3 July-September 2019 Rs. 500
Volume - VII
SPECIAL EDITION
An Obituary To Arun Jaitley
Number 3
JULY-SEPTEMBER 2019

Distribution: Global Books Organisation JURIST, IDEOLOGUE, PARLIAMENTARIAN
9899071610; 9899521610
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COVER.

qxd 2/13/1950 7:25 PM Page 1

THE RNI No. DELENG/2012/48509

PUBLISHED: Centre for Reforms, Development & Justice

Published and Printed by: Sidharth Mishra on behalf of

Centre for Reforms, Development and Justice

THE RNI No. DELENG/2012/48509

1. ARUN JAITLEY: MODERN DAY SQUIRE OF MANY MEASURES 4

ARUN JAITLEY: MODERN DAY SQUIRE

30 September 2019 Sidharth Mishra

30th September 2019 Dr Sanjeev Kumar Tiwari

Arun Jaitley - A Profile

A RUN JAITLEY was the most

ARUN JAITLEY - A PROFILE

ARUN JAITLEY - A PROFILE

ARUN JAITLEY - A PROFILE

Ram Nath Kovind

ARUN JAITLEY was a brilliant lawyer, a seasoned parliamentarian and distinguished

Grieving Loss of Arun Jaitley

AMIT SHAH, HOME MINISTER, GOVT OF INDIA

SONIA GANDHI, PRESIDENT, INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS

RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD, LAW & IT MINISTER, GOVT OF INDIA

GRIEVING LOSS OF ARUN JAITLEY

NITISH KUMAR, CHIEF MINISTER, GOVT OF BIHAR

NAVEEN PATNAIK, CHIEF MINISTER, GOVT OF ODISHA

MAMATA BANERJEE, CHIEF MINISTER, GOVT OF WEST BENGAL

DEVENDRA FADNAVIS, CHIEF MINISTER, GOVT OF MAHARASHTRA

SITARAM YECHURY, GENERAL SECRETARY, CPI(M)

SMRITI Z IRANI, WOMEN & CHILD DEVELOPMENT MINISTER GOVT OF INDIA

Our Regular Meetings Were For Food,

Arun Jaitley Helped BJP

ARUN JAITLEY HELPED BJP SET THE NARRATIVE

ARUN JAITLEY HELPED BJP SET THE NARRATIVE

A Shishya's Tribute to Arun Jaitley

A SHISHYA'S TRIBUTE TO ARUN JAITLEY

A SHISHYA'S TRIBUTE TO ARUN JAITLEY

Arun Jaitley Gave Me Mantra to

ARUN JAITLEY GAVE ME MANTRA TO DEAL WITH DOUBT & DILEMMA

ARUN JAITLEY GAVE ME MANTRA TO DEAL WITH DOUBT & DILEMMA

A go-to person for many, Arun Jaitley

Harsimrat Kaur Badal

‘The Best Brain In The Country, Arun Jaitley

a junior or a colleague if he was convinced form an opinion that would determine

Arun Jaitley Possessed The Rare Skill To

Abhishek Manu Singhvi

like doctors, lawyers, chartered to seek some post-retirement sinecure,

Arun Jaitley - A True Karmayogi

ARUN JAITLEY - A TRUE KARMAYOGI

Justice Pratibha M Singh

ARUN JAITLEY - A TRUE KARMAYOGI

lived up to his trust. He however never had interest’ would be a relevant

ARUN JAITLEY - A TRUE KARMAYOGI

A Generous Boss, And A Friend

A GENEROUS BOSS, AND A FRIEND ONE COULD ALWAYS COUNT ON

A GENEROUS BOSS, AND A FRIEND ONE COULD ALWAYS COUNT ON

A Titan Goes Away Too Soon

A TITAN GOES AWAY TOO SOON

A TITAN GOES AWAY TOO SOON

An Asset To BJP In The Coalition Game

AN ASSET TO BJP IN THE COALITION GAME

AN ASSET TO BJP IN THE COALITION GAME

A Man Of Open Heart And Mind,

which meant a considerable financial in GST, considered the most important