Former finance minister and senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley, who was admitted to AIIMS earlier this month after he complained of breathlessness and palpitations, passed away Saturday afternoon of a kidney ailment at the age of 66.

Arun Jaitley breathed his last at 12.07 pm, according to a statement issued by AIIMS. The statement read, "It is with profound grief that we inform about the sad demise of Shri Arun Jaitley, honourable Member of Parliament and former Finance minister, Government of India, at 12:07 PM on 24th August, 2019." It was reported last night that his condition had deteriorated further. After being admitted to the Cardio-Neuro-Centre of AIIMS at around 10 am on August 9, Jaitley was continuously monitored by a team of doctors the past couple of weeks. The BJP leader, who was unwell for two years, had undergone a kidney transplant at AIIMS in 2018.

He had posted on August 6 after the demise of Sushma Swaraj, "Saddened, pained & broken on the demise of Sushmaji. She was one of the most outstanding politicians in the Present Era. She distinguished in all positions. She held Senior Positions with the Party, NDA Government. & while in opposition. She leaves behind a void which is difficult to fill."

A lawyer by profession, Jaitley was the most important leader in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet during his first tenure and acted as the chief troubleshooter for the government, especially during the crucial times of demonetization and GST rollout, according to a news agency.