Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that former Union Finance Minister and BJP stalwart Arun Jaitley was a suave lawmaker, a visionary politician, a seasoned Parliamentarian, a capable administrator and above all a good human being with a golden heart.He was speaking after paying rich tributes to Arun Jaitley during the “Shradhanjli” function held in the historic Gaiety Theatre here today, organised to pay tributes to the senior BJP leader.The Chief Minister said that it was during the tenure of Shri Jaitley as Finance Minister that the Union government took several historic and brave decisions such as expanding Aadhaar to other services, rationalising subsidies to reach targeted users, driving consensus on the Goods and Services Tax (GST), managing the tailwinds of demonetisation, or powering the $32.43 billion bank recapitalisation plan etc. He pushed through India's single most important tax reform since Independence, bringing the country under a unified tax regime.Jai Ram Thakur said that Arun Jaitley was a loyal Bharatiya Janta Party worker and served the party well in many capacities. He was the only Minister to be given two heavyweight portfolios of Finance and Defence in the first Modi cabinet. Most importantly, Shri Jaitley was the man at the forefront of reforms that formed the cornerstone of the first term of the Narendra Modi-led government, he said.
The Chief Minister said that as a politician, Arun Jaitley was powerful orator and for many years he was the BJP's lead speaker in the Rajya Sabha. He was a kind hearted human being and a noble soul who always used to be ready to help the poor and the needy. He said that Shri Jaitley was a regular visitor to Himachal Pradesh, be it as a senior BJP leader or as a leading advocate of the country. Shri Jaitley was sympathetic towards the developmental aspirations and needs of the State as Finance Minister.He said that former Finance Minister was clear with his concept and vision and would implement them effectively. It was his pleasant behaviour that earned him several friends in different sections of society.He also shared some personal experiences with Shri Jaitley on the occasion.Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj said that Arun Jaitley was a multi-talented personality who made immense contribution towards the nation while holding offices in various capacities. He also shared some old memories with Shri Jaitley. RSS Sangh Sanchalak Dr Vir Singh Rangra also remembered the contribution of Arun Jaitley towards development of the Nation. State BJP President Satpal Satti while paying tributes to Shri Jaitley, said that he was a great politician, an advocate, a thinker and above all a good human being.HP State Congress President Kuldeep Singh Rathore also paid floral tributes to Shri Jaitley and said that he was not only a great leader but also a noted advocate and orator. Cabinet Ministers, MP, MLAs, former national ABVP President Dr Nagesh Thakur, Advocate General Ashok Sharma, BJP leaders also paid floral tributes to Arun Jaitley on the occasion.