The last rites of former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will be performed at the Nigambodh Ghat in New Delhi today. The 66-year old senior BJP leader passed way at AIIMS yesterday following prolonged illness. He was admitted there on August 9.

BJP’s working president JP Nadda said, the mortal remains will be taken to the BJP headquarters this morning and cremation will take place in the afternoon. President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, BJP chief Amit Shah and a host of politicians cutting across party lines paid tributes to Jaitley at his residence in south Delhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid an emotional tribute to the former Finance Minister. Addressing Indian community at the Bahrain National Stadium, Mr Modi said, he cannot imagine that he was far away from India in Bahrain, while his dear friend and party colleague passed away in New Delhi.

Prime Minister described Jaitley as a valued friend whose insights and nuanced understanding of matters had very few parallels. Mr. Modi also spoke to the wife and son of Jaitley yesterday and expressed his condolences. Both of them insisted that Prime Minister does not cancel his foreign tour.