Arun Jaitley Asks PM Modi Not To Include Him In New Government, Citing Health Reasons
Jaitley said he would be available for any informal work for the government or the BJP.
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Arun Jaitley, finance minister in Narendra Modi’s first cabinet, has urged the prime minister to not include him in the new government for the time being because of health reasons.
The new Modi administration is set to be sworn in tomorrow. Jaitley, in a letter, said he would be available for any informal work for the government or the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Jaitley said he has had some serious health challenges in the last 18 months and needs to concentrate on his treatment and health.
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.Arun Jaitley, Outgoing Finance Minister
Jaitley, 66, had flown to New York in January for treatment after being reportedly diagnosed with soft tissue cancer which required surgery. This was his first overseas visit after he underwent renal transplant surgery on May 14, at All India Institute Of Medical Sciences.
While he was away, Railways Minister Piyush Goyal was given an interim charge of the Ministry of Finance and Corporate Affairs. Goyal had also presented the interim budget in February while Jaitley was undergoing treatment.
Here’s the full letter:
