Sandeep Rana Chandigarh, August 24 City BJP leaders remember their association with party stalwart Arun Jaitley, who passed away at the AIIMS in New Delhi today. Jaitley, who has also been the Chandigarh-Punjab BJP incharge, had a fair understanding of leaders and politics of the region. Recalling her association with the former Union Finance Minister, local MP Kirron Kher said he was the one who inducted her into the party in 2009 and specially flew to Mumbai. “Jaitley ji had a brilliant mind. He lived life completely. He loved friends and good food. He would write blogs regularly and always be open to advice,” shared Kher while travelling to his house from the city. “What a lawyer and what a speaker he was! He represented the party so well and was a true gentleman, who never spoke unparliamentary language. Jaitley ji held so many portfolios and has been there from the Vajpayee era, Advani era to Modi era,” she recalled, adding that he commanded respect cutting across political parties. Calling him Chanakya of modern Indian politics, city BJP president Sanjay Tandon said, “He had deep knowledge of every subject. He had a huge memory and would recall incidents instantly. I am yet to come across a person with such qualities and wisdom. His demise is not only a party or personal loss, but a national loss.” Tandon recalled, “In 2014, I was denied Lok Sabha ticket and was standing outside the party headquarters in Delhi. Jaitley ji knew I will be upset. He drove me in his car and had dinner with me at his home, where he counselled me. Even when my father died, he himself was unwell, but he called me to up to express his condolence.” Tandon added he knew the former Union minister for 40 years and he was his political guru. Former Mayor Arun Sood remembered how the BJP leader used to savour food and take care of every party worker and their families too. Satya Pal Jain, ex-MP and Additional Solicitor General of India, said he met the senior BJP leader for the first time during a meeting of the ABVP in 1973 when he was the president of the Delhi University Students Union. Jain said, “Since then, we worked together.” He said on August 3, he had sought an appointment with the senior BJP leader. “In response, I received a telephone call from Jaitley ji on August 4. He said doctors were not permitting people to meet him and also told me that he is slightly better now. In spite of being seriously ill, he enquired about my family. This was my last conversation with him.” Jain recalled, “He visited my residence on June 29 along with his wife to condole the death of my wife. It was his last visit to the city.” “He was a master political strategist. He stood by Narendra Modi ji in all situations during the past 25 years. His sense of humour was par excellence and could ease out tension any time, even during Parliamentary debates,” added Jain. In 2016, the then Finance Minister had approved Rs 300 crore for the city’s 24/7 water supply project. He had deep knowledge of every subject and would recall incidents instantly. I am yet to come across a person with such qualities. — Sanjay Tandon, City BJP President What a lawyer and what a speaker he was! He represented the party so well and commanded respect cutting across parties.— Kirron Kher, City MP On August 4, Jaitley ji rang me up and said he was slightly better now. Despite being seriously ill, he enquired about my family.— Satya Pal Jain, Former MP

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