Arun Jaitley opts out of Modi 2.0 cabinet due to health issues

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in a formal letter to PM Modi has said that he should be excused from being part of the Modi government's new cabinet as he is currently facing several health issues. PM Modi will be taking oath tomorrow to formally start his second term as Prime Minister. The cabinet of ministers will also take oath with him. In a way, Jaitley has confirmed what was widely speculated and reported that he would not be part of the new government owing to ill health. 

In the letter, Arun Jaitley has said: 

I have today written a letter to the Hon’ble Prime Minister, a copy of which I am releasing: pic.twitter.com/8GyVNDcpU7

— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) May 29, 2019

Jaitley wrote that he has faced serious health challenges in the last 18 months and doctors have enabled him to come out of most of them. However, Jaitley said that he would like to 'keep away from any responsibility' to concentrate on his 'treatment and health'. 

Jaitley revealed that he had already conveyed it to Modi when PM was going to Kedarnath. Now, he is formally communicating the matter to him to be allowed 'reasonable time for treatment and health'. 

Jaitley said that he would be always available to informally help the government and party. Arun Jaitley has been the busiest minister in Modi government's five years donning the hat of Defence Minister, I&B Minister among others additionally apart from being Finance Minister for five years.