Arun Jaitley requests PM Modi not to include him in the union cabinet. Cites health reasons.

The union finance minister in the previous NDA government Arun Jaitley who had recently been abroad for treatment of a severe ailment has requested prime minister Narendra Modi to keep him out of the new NDA government to be sworn in on 30th May.

In a letter sent to the prime minister, the former union finance minister Arun, also posted in his twitter handle, has thanked Modi for various responsibilites given to him as the union minister in the first NDA government to serve the country and the party in important capacities. He added that he could not have asked for more.

Mr Jaitley said that during the last eighteen months he has confronted some serious health challenges and has overcome some of them through treatment.

But he still needs adequate treatment to fully resurrect himself medically.

Mr. Jaitley reminded the PM that when he was leaving for Kedarnath he had said that he would be fully devoting the time n energy in the campaign which I did but would like to be free for sometime for proper treatment.

He greeted the prime minister for historic party victory n requested him not to include him in the council of ministers for the time being as he is under treatment at present.

In the last two paragraphs of the letter Jaitley writes verbatim: I am writing to you to formally request that I should be allowed a reasonable time for myself, my treatment and my health n therefore not be part of any responsibility, for the present, in the new government.

I would obviously have a lot of time at my disposal to undertake any work informally to support the government or the party.

It may be recalled that Arun Jaitley has been ill for quite a long time but have been attending his office as finance minister occassionally n has also been active during electioneering as Modi’s troubleshooter countering the opposition’s tirades through press conferences.

It was due to his bad health that this years’ vote on account was presented in parliament by another union minister for Railway Mr. Goyal.