An opponent and a gentleman: opposition leaders, lawyers and journos remember Arun Jaitley 

Congress President Sonia Gandhi wrote a condolence message for Arun Jaitley , highlighting Arun Jaitley’s contributions as a Public Figure, Parliamentarian and a Minister.

TMC leader Derek O’Brien wrote “Polar opposite in ideology; across the floor in Rajya Sabha, occasional duellist in the media. And yet. He was my mentor in my early years in Parliament, advisor about the tenor of debates. An Opponent and a Gentleman. Mr Arun Jaitley. Gone, too soon “

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor wrote “Deeply saddened by the tragic passing of my friend & Delhi Univ senior @arunjaitley⁩. We first met when he was at DUSU & I was President of St Stephen’s College Union. Despite political differences we enjoyed a healthy mutual respect & debated his Budget often in LS. A great loss 4 India

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh recalled that he had once told Arun Jaitley that he was a better spinner than the legendary Prasanna, Bedi and Chdnrashekhar together, which Jaitley hugely enjoyed. Jaitley’s humour and wit , and indeed his acts of kjindness, were recalled by many following his demise on Saturday at AIIMS.

Former Economist correspondent Stanley Pignal recalled that he had once asked Jaitley why the Indian Government was so timid about initiating reforms at which Jaitley had deadpanned, “ The Economist doesn’t need votes but the BJP does”.

Lawyer Karuna Nundy recalled that while the former union minister and senior lawyer sent his daughter to study in a Delhi college, he helped the daughter of a staffer to seek admission abroad.

From being the BJP government's key political strategist to managing the crucial finance portfolio, Jaitley wore many hats while pursuing his more material interests such as collecting expensive pens, watches and luxury cars.

However, his stint in the Modi-1.0 government was affected by his frequent bouts of ill health that even led him to take a short sabbatical. Last year, he took a three-month break to undergo a kidney transplant and this year he was forced to travel to the US for treatment, depriving him of the opportunity to present the sixth and final Budget of the Modi government's first term.

A moderate, Jaitley had friends across the political spectrum and is one of India's most articulate and influential leaders who brought civility to public discourse, irrespective of whether one agreed with his position or not.

“I will always remember ARUN Jaitley as a professional colleague , a first class lawyer , a dignified opponent in court and outside court ,I will miss him RIP” wrote Advocate Indira Jaising

Here are some of the tweets paying tribute to Arun Jaitley

(With PTI inputs)