New Delhi: Writing a letter to Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi, Union finance minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday opted out of the new Council of Ministers to be sworn in on May 30, citing health issues.
In the four-paragraph letter, Jaitley said he had orally informed Modi about his desire not to be a part of the new BJP government. He said that even though he was able to participate in the election campaign and carry out the duties assigned to him but now he would “like to keep away from any responsibility” in order to “concentrate on my treatment and health.”
Jaitley also shared the letter on Twitter.
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
In the past five years, Jaitley has defended controversial policies of the government. PM Modi had given him the responsibility of three ministries when he first took office in 2014, finance, defence and information and broadcasting ministries.
Jaitley’s health issues became worse after he had a kidney transplant in May last year. He also had to skip the interim budget in February when he was undergoing treatment for cancer in the United States.
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Ms Kalinga