Arun Jaitley, former Union minister and a senior BJP leader, was admitted to Delhi’s AIIMS this morning after he complained of breathing problems. He is under observation in an intensive care unit of the Cardio-Neuro center of the hospital.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan and other leaders visited Mr Jaitley in the hospital.
“Shri Arun Jaitley was admitted to AIIMS today morning. He is currently undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit under the supervision of a multidisciplinary team of doctors. At present he is haemodynamically stable,” a hospital release informed.
Mr Jaitley, 66, had taken a long break as Finance Minister last year after a kidney transplant.
His health remained a concern after the surgery. A diabetic, he also had to skip the interim budget in February when he was in hospital in the US for treatment.
Mr Jaitley was also admitted to the AIIMS for treatment in May this year.
After the BJP’s victory in the national election, Mr Jaitley had written to PM Modi that he would “not be part of any responsibility, for the present, in the new government” because of his health.
“I am writing to you to 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,” Mr Jaitley had written.
Mr Jaitley had said in the letter that he had faced “some serious health challenges” in the last 18 months.
Mr Jaitley, a lawyer-turned politician, has always been among the BJP’s chief troubleshooters. In the past five years, he has steered major economic legislation and has also defended controversial policies for the government.
