New Delhi, 24 August (H.S.): The Delhi unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday organised tribute programmes at the Delhi BJP office and at Arun Jaitley Park in Siri Fort to mark the death anniversary of veteran BJP leader and former Union Finance Minister, Padma Vibhushan Arun Jaitley. BJP leaders, elected representatives and party workers paid their respects and recalled his contributions to public life.

At the Delhi BJP office, state president Harsh Malhotra and Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta garlanded a portrait of Arun Jaitley. State office-bearers subsequently offered floral tributes and paid their respects to the former Union minister.

At Arun Jaitley Park in Siri Fort, a tribute programme organised by his family was attended by several prominent personalities, including RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Delhi BJP president Harsh Malhotra, BJP co-general secretary (organisation) Shiv Prakash and Union Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh. They paid floral tributes at Jaitley’s statue.

On the occasion, Delhi BJP president Harsh Malhotra said Arun Jaitley was not merely a former Finance Minister but also an eloquent orator, an accomplished organisational strategist and a friend to all. Even his political opponents listened to him with respect, he said, because his arguments were rooted in facts and his communication was marked by warmth.

Malhotra said Jaitley played a significant role in giving a new direction to India’s economy. He said landmark decisions such as the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code and banking reforms reflected Jaitley’s visionary leadership. He added that Jaitley stood firmly by the government and the party during challenging circumstances.

Malhotra also said Jaitley had a deep interest in sports, particularly badminton, apart from cricket. Recalling Jaitley’s association with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said their relationship went beyond political ties and was built on mutual trust and friendship. He added that Jaitley’s working style, ideas and commitment to national service would continue to inspire generations.

Among those who paid tribute at the programme were MPs Dharmendra Pradhan, Anurag Thakur, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri and Kamaljeet Sehrawat, as well as Bansuri Swaraj. Delhi government minister Ashish Sood, NDMC Vice Chairman Kuljeet Singh Chahal and MLAs Satish Upadhyay, Harish Khurana and Om Prakash Sharma also attended the event.

Delhi BJP office-bearers Vishnu Mittal, Sunil Yadav and Praveen Shankar Kapoor, former MP Ramesh Bidhuri and social activist Nupur Sharma were also present on the occasion.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar