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Economy

Finding a substitute for Jaitley will be an uphill task, say finance ministers of Punjab, Assam

Updated : May 29, 2019 06:01 PM IST

Piyush Goyal could be given finance minister’s post, says JD (U) leader Pavan Varma.

State finance ministers acknowledge Jaitley's contributions to GST Council.

As former Union finance minister Arun Jaitley has made it clear that he will not be part of the government when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his cabinet take oath on May 30, senior leaders from various parties have shared their thoughts about his role and how his absence will affect the new government.

In a letter to the prime minister, Jaitley made a formal request not to be given any responsibility in the new government so that he can concentrate on his treatment and health. Stating that he has been facing “serious health challenges over the past 18 months”, Jaitley said he had spoken to Modi about opting out of the new government before his trip to Kedarnath.

In the letter posted on Twitter, Jaitley has said that though doctors have enabled him to come out of most of his "serious health challenges," he would still want some time off. Towards the end of the letter, Jaitley said he would be available to undertake any "informal work" to support the government.

Speaking to CNBC-TV18, Finance Minister of Punjab Manpreet Singh Badal, Finance Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma and Pavan Varma of Janata Dal United spoke about the decision of Jaitley.

Badal said that he was disappointed and sad that Jaitley would not be there as the finance minister. “He has left a lasting legacy on the GST Council. Thanks to his patience and the fact that he was a true democrat, every decision of the GST Council was taken with consensus. Even though the BJP had an overwhelming majority in the GST Council, he would respect the opinion of everyone, even a small state like Punjab,” he added.

Sarma also acknowledged Jaitley's role in the formation of GST Council. “We will miss a competent finance minister who leads all the states finance minister’s well. I wish him good luck,” he added.

According to Pavan Varma, Jaitley was the man to go to when the government needed a credible voice. He was one of the best troubleshooters for the government and a consensus-builder. “It is difficult to fit into the shoes of a person like Jaitley who could handle a portfolio with substance and at the same time troubleshoot for the government in a very substantive way. It is difficult to find a substitute for him,” he added.

“Piyush Goyal has in the past been an under-study to Jaitley and looked after the finance ministry portfolio, presented a budget in the absence of Jaitley. So perhaps he is a choice. However, the prime minister is quite capable of pulling a surprise as well,” Varma opined.

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