Arun Jaitley opts out of PM Modi's new Cabinet, cites ‘health challenges’
Arun Jaitley, Finance Minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government's first term from 2014 to 2015, has opted himself from the new Cabinet. Arun Jaitley wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he will "not be part of any responsibility, for the present, in the new government".
"I am writing to you to formally request you that I should be allowed a reasonable time for myself, my treatment and my health, and, therefore, not be a part of any responsibility, for the present, in the new Government," outgoing Finance Minister Arun Jaitley wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a letter.
I have today written a letter to the Hon’ble Prime Minister, a copy of which I am releasing: pic.twitter.com/8GyVNDcpU7
— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) May 29, 2019
66-year-old Arun Jaitley in letter has said that he had faced "some serious health challenges" in the last 18 months.
Recalling when PM Modi was leaving for the Kedarnath shrine, after the national election campaign, Jaitley had "orally informed you that even though I was able to discharge the responsibilities assigned to me during the campaign, I would in future, for some time, like to keep away from any responsibility. This will enable me to concentrate on my treatment and health."
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First published: 29 May 2019, 14:00 IST