Former finance minister Arun Jaitley was cremated at the Nigambodh Ghat in New Delhi with full State honours today in the presence of leaders from across the political spectrum and many party workers. The 66-year-old BJP stalwart died at the AIIMS in the national capital on Saturday, where he had been admitted for two weeks. Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, BJP veteran LK Advani, party president and Home Minister Amit Shah, party's working president J P Nadda, and Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Nirmala Sitharaman and Smriti Irani attended the funeral. Congress leaders Jyotiraditya Scindia and Kapil Sibal were also present at the cremation ground. BJP workers queued up in large numbers outside the party headquarters since morning to pay their last respects to the leader.
Here are the highlights as leaders pay last respect to Arun Jaitley
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Sunday condoled the death of former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. In a condolence letter written to his wife Sangeeta Jaitley, he said: "As a distinguished attorney and public servant Mr. Jaitley dedicated himself to the service of the Indian people. I applaud his sense of public service. At this sad and difficult time, please know that you and your family are in my thoughts."
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Sunday remembered Arun Jaitley, calling him a friend from their college days in Delhi University. "Arun Jaitley and I have known each other since we were students. He was the president of DUSU when I was the president of St Stephens College Student's Union." Mr Tharoor added: "As a minister, he was very impressive. I thought that asking questions to him in Parliament was always rewarding as he gave you serious answers, precisely expressed."
"On behalf of the Government and the people of Japan, I would like to express my deepest and sincerest condolences to the bereaved family and the people of India. Mr Jaitley's great contribution to elevating our bilateral relationship to a new height, during his tenure as minister of Finance and minister of Defence, will be remembered by the people of Japan. He was a true friend of Japan in India," Japanese envoy to India Kenji Hiramatsu on Sunday said.
BJP leaders Amit Shah, Rajnath, Venkaiah Naidu, Om Birla and JP Nadda attend Arun Jaitley's funeral.
The funeral procession is on its way to Nigambodh Ghat.
His body will be kept at the BJP headquarters in Delhi today between 10:30 am and 1 pm where party workers and leaders will pay tributes. The last rites will take place at the Nigambodh Ghat at 2:30 pm, the BJP said in a tweet.














