<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/arun-jaitley-a-suave-politician-who-shared-excellent-rapport-with-journalist-245408">Arun Jaitley</a> had the kind of personality which could make any person he met his fan, said Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday.

"I first met Jaitley personally in the 80s. Even in those days he had the charming personality and manners which could make any person his fan," Rajnath said at a condolence meet organised by BJP.&nbsp;

The 'Shradhanjali' programme was held at the weight-lifting hall in the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Jaitley's wife Sangita, daughter Sonali and son Rohan were present on the occasion.

Praising the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/tale-of-two-political-stalwarts-arun-jaitley-and-p-chidambaram-248575">former finance minister</a>'s insight and acumen, Rajnath said, "He always played a big role in setting the narrative of the BJP. There was a time in the 80s when it was considered an orthodox party, but it was Jaitley who changed the narrative of the party amongst the intellectuals."&nbsp;

Terming his demise a loss for the entire nation, Rajnath added that his absence was being felt across party lines.

"This is not just BJP's loss, but the nation's loss as a whole, people across party lines are feeling it. He may not be here today, but I will definitely say that he will continue to shine like a star at the very top," Rajnath said.

Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Ram Vilas Paswan also praised Jaitley's contribution towards the nation and NDA alliance by stating, "He was the one person we could always go to, whenever we were worried about the alliance. No alliance party member would ever be hesitant in front of him and he would always have the solution, such was his expertise."&nbsp;

Paswan also recounted an anecdote which had moved him personally as it involved his son and newly elected MP Chirag Paswan.

"I remember after Chirag's first speech in the Parliament, Jaitleyji sent him a note full of praises and wishing him luck. That set Chirag's mind on politics, once and for all, only Arunji could have had such an influence on people," Paswan said.

Several diplomats and dignitaries were in attendance at the condolence meet including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and leaders from the Opposition parties including Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi, CPI (M) leader D Raja among others.

Members of Vichar Manch which includes Sangh Parivar, Marg Darshak Mandal and BJP's Rashtriya Karya Samiti Sadasya were also present at the meet.

Jaitley passed away in New Delhi on August 24 at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). He was 66. He was cremated with full state honours at the Nigambodh Ghat in the national capital on August 25.

Arun Jaitley had the kind of personality which could make any person he met his fan, said Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday. "I first met Jaitley personally in the 80s.

Arun Jaitley had the kind of personality which could make any person he met his fan, said Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday. "I first met Jaitley personally in the 80s. Even in those days he had the charming personality and manners which could make any person his fan," Rajnath said at a condolence meet organised by BJP. The 'Shradhanjali' programme was held at the weight-lifting hall in the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Jaitley's wife Sangita, daughter Sonali and son Rohan were present on the occasion. Praising the former finance minister's insight and acumen, Rajnath said, "He always played a big role in setting the narrative of the BJP. There was a time in the 80s when it was considered an orthodox party, but it was Jaitley who changed the narrative of the party amongst the intellectuals." Terming his demise a loss for the entire nation, Rajnath added that his absence was being felt across party lines. "This is not just BJP's loss, but the nation's loss as a whole, people across party lines are feeling it. He may not be here today, but I will definitely say that he will continue to shine like a star at the very top," Rajnath said. Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Ram Vilas Paswan also praised Jaitley's contribution towards the nation and NDA alliance by stating, "He was the one person we could always go to, whenever we were worried about the alliance. No alliance party member would ever be hesitant in front of him and he would always have the solution, such was his expertise." Paswan also recounted an anecdote which had moved him personally as it involved his son and newly elected MP Chirag Paswan. "I remember after Chirag's first speech in the Parliament, Jaitleyji sent him a note full of praises and wishing him luck. That set Chirag's mind on politics, once and for all, only Arunji could have had such an influence on people," Paswan said. Several diplomats and dignitaries were in attendance at the condolence meet including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and leaders from the Opposition parties including Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi, CPI (M) leader D Raja among others. Members of Vichar Manch which includes Sangh Parivar, Marg Darshak Mandal and BJP's Rashtriya Karya Samiti Sadasya were also present at the meet. Jaitley passed away in New Delhi on August 24 at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). He was 66. He was cremated with full state honours at the Nigambodh Ghat in the national capital on August 25.

Arun Jaitley could make any person his fan: Rajnath Singh

Writing about a tall personality like the former finance minister and BJP stalwart Arun Jaitley is trying to describe a big tree in its entirety. There are aspects which you know and do not.

Writing about a tall personality like the former finance minister and BJP stalwart Arun Jaitley is trying to describe a big tree in its entirety. There are aspects which you know and do not. It becomes even more difficult for journalists because how much close you may think you are to a politician, there are always aspects of them which are unavailable to you. You only get to understand them better over time with more and more interactions. You can write a book on the suave politician Arun Jaitley but today I will write about two of his facets. I came into touch with Arun Jaitley in 2009 when he became the Leader of Opposition. I was not the BJP beat reporter but had an intense desire to understand what was happening in BJP after having lost two consecutive Lok Sabha elections. Though I was faintly aware of Arun Jaitley’s class, it was in 2009 that I understood what it meant for journalists. It was not that I was an unknown to him but when I walked inside his room in the Parliament Office full of BJP beat reporters for the first time, he looked at me and said,” Did you lose your way inside Parliament.” I said, ''No sir'' and added ''I just wanted to attend your off-record briefing”. I cannot say what went across his mind but for the next five years, till 2014, I always managed to attend his briefing without feeling unwanted and getting the feeling that I’m an undesired presence. Yes, he met journalists separately, one to one, who knew him for a long time, but it never became a hindrance to me to approach him on any issue. To put the record straight, his off the record briefings were educative. Many a time journalists would joke and ask, what story did he plant in the media the previous day. But for him, very few leaders would take time to explain the nuance of Parliamentary procedures to journalists both on and off record. His briefings would be divided into two parts --one, as I said, was inside his room and the other took place inside the Central Hall. Those interactions used to be even more free-wheeling in the presence of senior journalists and members of Parliament cutting across the party. Today, very few Parliamentarians and ministers take time to talk to journalists. Arun Jaitley, even after becoming a minister would take time out to talk to the press which would educate them on various issues. Writing today on this issue makes it look like a trivial detail of someone’s life but ask any journalist covering Parliament and he/she would only say how precious those interactions were. Jaitley was a man of many facets rolled into one -- foodie, lawyer, politician, backroom master, orator, good Parliamentarian and most important of all a person who never left his middle-class moorings. Almost like Sushma ji who passed away recently, Jaitley, if know you him personally would always care to ask you about your family and general well-being. I had the honour of knowing him but in the last 10 years as a journalist, I had the opportunity to meet him personally on numerous occasion. The proprietor of the last firm I had worked and me shared similar name. I would land up with calls from high and mighty regularly. It continues till today but is a trickle now. Two years back, I landed a call from Arun ji and I immediately realized in a minute that the conversation wasn’t meant for me. When I politely told him, that it wasn’t me and it is the fourth time he has mistaken me for him, he said,” You change your name. This cannot go on.” Feeling deeply hurt, I said,” Why should I change my name. My father has lovingly named me.” There was an awkward silence for few seconds and then he said, ''Gussa kyon ho raha hai, chalo is bahane tumse bhi baat ho jatee hai (Why are you getting angry. At least, in this way I get to talk to you)''. It was not the last time we spoke. Subsequently, I spoke to him many times, but never got a wrong call from him again. This was Arun Jaitley.

Arun Jaitley -- A suave politician who shared excellent rapport with journalists

Former finance minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stalwart Arun Jaitley died on Saturday after a long battle with illness. The 66-year-old veteran leader, who held several important portfolios in his political career spanning over four decades, breathed his last at 12.07 pm on Saturday the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) in New Delhi.

An orator, protagonist, philathropist; this is what describes Arun Jaitley

Political leaders reacts to Arun Jaitley's demise