(Image source from: IndiaToday)

Arun Jaitley Writes To Narendra Modi, Says 'Request You Not to Induct Me In New Cabinet, Need to Concentrate On Health'

A day ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of the Narendra Modi government, Arun Jaitley on Wednesday wrote a letter to the Prime Minister requesting him not to induct him in the new cabinet.

In his letter to PM Narendra Modi, Arun Jaitley opted out of the new cabinet citing prolonged illness and said he needs time for treatment.

"I am writing to you formally request you that I should be allowed a reasonable time for myself, my treatment and my health and, therefore, not be a part of any responsibility, for the present, in the new Government," Jaitley wrote.

Railways Minister Piyush Goyal may succeed Jaitley. Goyal served as the interim finance minister when Jaitley was undergoing treatment.

"During the last 18 months, I have had some serious health challenges. My doctors have enabled me to emerge out of most of them. After the campaign had concluded and you were leaving for Kedarnath, I had orally informed you that even though I was able to discharge the responsibilities assigned to me during the campaign, I would in future, for some time, like to keep away from any responsibility," Jaitley further wrote.

Jaitley (66) is a key strategist of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has not been attending office for the past three weeks. He did not attend the last cabinet meeting of the outgoing government. However, he went to the Finance Ministry for a customary meeting with top officials. This was his last engagement, a thanksgiving one, as Finance Minister.

Jaitley was recently admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) but was later discharged. He had undergone a renal transplant surgery in May last year.

By Sowmya Sangam