Jaitley writes to Modi, opts out of new cabinet

New Delhi:Putting all speculations to rest, BJP floor leader in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley on Wednesday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi stating that on health ground, he should be kept of the new cabinet.

"I am writing to you to formally request you that I should be allowed a reasonable time for myself, my treatment and my health and therefore not be any part of any responsibility for the present in the new government," Mr Jaitley wrote in his letter. 

Mr Jaitley, who has been keeping unwell for quite sometime but tirelessly worked during electionsespecially writing blogs and presenting BJP's perspective, informed Mr Modi that he would obviously have "a lot of time at my disposal" to undertake any work informally to support the government or the party.

Mr Jaitley held the portfolios of Finance and Corporate Affairs in the outgoing NDA regime and also held the charge of Defence ministry for two brief spells. 

Mega preparations are on for the second time swearing in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday.

A galaxy of international leaders and nation heads of BIMSTEC nations, political who's who and regional satraps including the likes of Mamata Banerjee are expected to attend the oath-taking ceremony.

President of Bangladesh Md Abdul Hamid, his Sri Lankan counterpart Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Ministers of Mauritius and Nepal Pravind Kumar Jugnauth and KP Sharma Oli respectively will attend Mr Modi's oath-taking ceremony as Prime Minister.

According to an MEA spokesman, Sooronbay Jeenbekov, President of the Kyrgyz Republic,

U Win Myint, President of Myanmar, Dr Lotay Tshering, Prime Minister of Bhutan; and Grisada

Boonrach, Special Envoy of Thailand have also confirmed their participation during the special

occasion.BJP on its own has 303 members and with its allies, the NDA tally is 353.(UNI)