by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group
exclusive story
Jaitley wants to relinquish ministerial charge
To focus on Health, Keeps away from public glare
Harish Gupta
New Delhi, May 22
Capital is agog with reports of frailing health of Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who has withdrawn from public glare for the past three weeks. He has not been attending office or public functions and rejecting invitations to address seminars and social functions. He has also stopped holding briefings for the party spokespersons for the past some time as well. Except for attending a book function at the IIC and visiting party office once, he has been confined to his 2A Krishna Menon Marg residence. He stopped visiting party office completely and did not attend yesterday's dinner meet too. He is meeting fever number of officials to dispose of urgent files only and senior party functionaries when urgently required.
If sources are to be believed, he has conveyed to the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi that he would like to take complete rest to concentrate on improving his health. The public life has taken a heavy toll on his health and now he has decided to call it a day for at least six months. Jaitley's family members are also insisting upon him to not burden his body with work and devote time to recover first.
After considering all aspects, Arun Jaitley is understood to have conveyed his desire to the Prime Minister to quit the government immediately after the results are announced on May 23. He has also expressed his desire to relinquish the charge of the Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha as well. He will not hold any government post until he recovers completely.
The Prime Minister, however, refused to accept Jaitley's request and told him firmly that he will have to be in the government in whatever capacity he so desired. Jaitley has been Modi government's main trouble-shooter and most trusted person of PM Modi. The PM is understood to have also told him that he already has a talent deficit in the government and he should remain in the government. The health of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari is also a cause of concern. Sushma Swaraj did not even contest the Lok Sabha polls on health grounds.
Last word on the development is yet to be written.
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