Arun Jaitley, a towering figure in Indian politics, left an indelible mark on the nation. A distinguished lawyer and politician, his career spanned decades, leaving a legacy of significant contributions and impactful reforms.
Wiki/Biography
Arun Maharaj Kishen Jaitley entered the world on Sunday, 28 December 1952, in New Delhi. He passed away at the age of 66. His zodiac sign was Capricorn.
His educational journey began at St. Xavier’s School, New Delhi, culminating in his graduation in 1973. He then pursued a B.Com (Honours) from Shri Ram College of Commerce, New Delhi, followed by a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1977 from the Faculty of Law, University of Delhi.
His student years were marked by active participation in the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), where he rose to become the President of the Delhi Students’ Union in 1974. This victory signified a turning point in student politics, breaking the Congress Party’s long-held dominance on university campuses.
A pivotal moment came during the Emergency of 1975-77. His involvement in the Loktantrik Yuva Morcha, a youth committee convened by Jayaprakash Narayan, led to his arrest and imprisonment for 19 months in Ambala and Tihar Jails.
Physical Appearance
- Height: 5′ 7″ (approx.)
- Weight: 65 kg (approx.)
- Eye Colour: Black
- Hair Colour: Black (semi-bald)
Family, Wife & Caste
Hailing from a Punjabi Brahmin family, Jaitley’s father, Maharaj Kishen Jaitley, was a lawyer, and his mother, Ratan Prabha Jaitley, a social activist. He had one elder sister, Madhu Bhargava. He married Sangeeta Dogra on 24 May 1982, and they had two children, Rohan and Sonali.
Legal Career
Jaitley commenced his legal practice in 1977, appearing in various High Courts and the Supreme Court of India. His clientele included multinational corporations like PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, and the Aditya Birla Group. He achieved significant milestones, including appointments as Additional Solicitor General of India in 1989 and his designation as a senior advocate by the Delhi High Court in 1990.
His influence extended to the judiciary’s infrastructure; he played a key role in the inauguration of the High Courts of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Uttarakhand. He also represented prominent figures such as Sharad Yadav, Lal Krishna Advani, and Madhavrao Scindia. His contributions included work on the Bofors Scandal investigation and instrumental roles in passing the 84th (freezing of parliamentary seats) and 91st (penalizing defections) Amendments to the Indian Constitution. He ceased his legal practice in 2009 upon becoming Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha.
Political Career
Jaitley joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 1980. He rose through the ranks, holding positions such as President of the BJP’s Youth Wing and Secretary of the Delhi Unit. His political career saw him serve in various ministerial roles in both the Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi governments, including significant portfolios such as Finance, Defence and Corporate Affairs. He was a Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) representing Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh.
His contributions to the BJP’s strategies were immense; he played a vital role in shaping the party’s political narrative and electoral success. He was known for his sharp intellect and astute political acumen. His skillful negotiation and communication skills often resulted in significant policy achievements.
Controversies
During his tenure as president of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA), he faced allegations of financial irregularities. Further controversies involved his public statements regarding CBI investigations into corruption cases.
Favourites
- Food: Amritsari Kulcha, Punjabi Cuisines
- Sports: Hockey, Tennis, Soccer, Cricket, Kabaddi
- Politicians: Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Pranab Mukherjee, Barack Obama
- Economist: Ben Bernanke
- Destinations: Switzerland, Austria, Kashmir
Death
Following a kidney transplant in 2018 and a subsequent diagnosis of soft-tissue sarcoma, Jaitley’s health deteriorated. He passed away on August 24, 2019, at AIIMS, New Delhi.
Awards, Honours & Achievements
Jaitley received numerous accolades, including the “Finance Minister of the Year (Asia)” (Emerging Markets, 2015), the “Business Reformer and Policy Change Maker Agent of the Year” (ET Awards, 2017), and the “Change Maker of the Year” (The Business Line, 2019). Posthumously, he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2020.
Address, Car Collection, Assets & Properties, Net Worth & Salary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 6, Tapas Bungalows, Prahlad Nagar, Ahmedabad, Gujarat |
| Car Collection | Toyota Fortuner (2011), 2 Mercedes-Benz cars (2012 & 2017) |
| Assets & Properties | Cash, Bank Deposits, Jewellery, Land, Commercial & Residential Buildings (details available in original article) |
| Net Worth (2018) | 111.42 Crores INR |
| Salary (as Rajya Sabha Member) | 1 Lac INR + Allowances |
Facts
Jaitley’s life was full of interesting anecdotes, from his childhood resentment of Jawaharlal Nehru to his love for movies and his fondness for owning luxury cars despite a fear of driving. His deep-rooted connection with Jayaprakash Narayan and his pivotal role in bringing Narendra Modi to the forefront of Indian politics are testaments to his enduring impact.
