Arun Jaitley opts out of PM Modi’s new cabinet

SeniorBJP leader and Finance Minister of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's firstcabinet, Arun Jaitley on Wednesday opted out of PM Modi's new cabinet ahead ofModi's second term in office. Jaitley addressed a letter to the PM and askedhim not to give him any responsibility due to health reasons.

"I amwriting to you to formally request you that I should be allowed a reasonabletime for myself, my treatment and my health and, therefore, not be a part ofany responsibility, for the present, in the new government," Jaitley wrote,adding, "It was a great honour and a learning experience for me to have been apart of the Government led by you for the past five years."

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

Notably,the 66-year-old BJP leader was not even seen at the victory celebrations at theBJP headquarters on May 23.PM Narendra Modi along with his cabinet will be sworn-inat Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday evening.