Arun Jaitley opts out of new Modi govt, cites health reasons

In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jaitley made a "formal" request to not be given any responsibility in the new government so that he can concentrate on his "treatment" and "health."

Amid reports of his ill-health doing the rounds, outgoing Arun Jaitley Wednesday has sought to be kept out of the cabinet. In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jaitley made a “formal” request to not be given any responsibility in the new government so that he can concentrate on his “treatment” and “health.”

Jaitley, who is one of the top three leaders in the BJP and the government, after Modi and party president Amit Shah, was not seen at the celebrations at BJP headquarters after the Lok Sabha election results were announced. He has not been seen in public for at least two weeks but has been publishing blogs and messages on social media.

Ahead of the swearing-in ceremony on Thursday, both Modi and Shah held marathon meeting lasting around five hours to decide om the new cabinet. Speculation over Shah’s entry in the Cabinet has been intense.

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