AGARTALA, Aug 24 (TIWN): “It is extremely tragic news. Shocked beyond words & distressed at the passing away of Shri Arun Jaitley ji. He will forever be remembered & missed for his relentless service to the Nation & Party”, said Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Deb after former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley passed away today.

Former Finance Minister and senior BJP leader Arun Jaitely passed away at AIIMS on Saturday after prolonged illness. Jaitley had undergone dialysis on Thursday.

Jaitley was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here on August 9 and was treated by a multi-disciplinary team of senior doctors. Hospital sources had earlier said he was on life support. Jaitley, a lawyer by profession, had been a key member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Cabinet in the BJP government's first term. He held the finance and defence portfolios, and often acted as the chief troubleshooter of the government.