New Delhi:
A pall of gloom descended on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after the news of Arun Jaitley’s demise broke on Saturday afternoon. He breathed his last around 12.45 pm. Jaitley, who had been keeping unwell for the last few months, was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on August 9.
While the month of August brought a landmark victory for the BJP after Parliament cleared the Centre's move to abrogate Article 370, it will also be remembered for some disheartening news for the party. First, it was the sudden demise of its party stalwart and former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, who passed away on August 6 - the day when the Lok Sabha passed the J&K Reorganisation Bill, and then, Arun Jaitley. Both Sushma and Jaitley had opted out from contesting the 2019 General Elections citing health issues.
Saddened, pained & broken on demise of Sushmaji. She was one of the most outstanding politicians in the Present Era. She distinguished in all positions. She held Senior Positions with the Party, NDA Govt. & while in opposition. She leaves behind a void which is difficult to fill.
— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) August 6, 2019
Both the leaders made their presence felt in the party with their sheer hard work and dedication. They did commendable jobs whenever they were given responsiblities. While Jaitley was an ABVP leader, Swaraj had come from the socialist stable. But interestingly, both the leaders never considered too close to the Sangh Parivaar.
Both Sushma and Jaitley were very accessible to the media. While Jaitley continued to maintained his excellent repo with journalists from different media organisations, Swaraj had her coterie of female journalists, who used to cover the External Affairs Ministry.
Jaitley and Swaraj are best-remembered for their stupendous roles as leaders of Opposition in both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha respectively after the NDA lost in the 2004 polls. Not only as MPs, they were also considered as great spokespersons of the party.
When the entire nation was expecting Sonia Gandhi to be next the Prime Minister in 2004, it was Swaraj who took on the Congress president, threatening to shave off her head and live like a widow if she became the premier. Even in the Congress, many leaders praised her as the “best PM candidate BJP could have had”. Unlike Swaraj's aggressive persona, Jaitley always maintained a balanced character, but never shunned away from attacking the Opposition whenever required.
Jaitley and Swaraj -- both lawyer-turned-politicians -- had a similar political trajectory. They both were outspoken when it came to their party’s ideology. Many believe that it was their confidence in themselves that allowed mediapersons to walk up to them and ask questions.
