I have today written a letter to the Hon’ble Prime Minister, a copy of which I am releasing: https://t.co/8GyVNDcpU7 — Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) 1559115812000

NEW DELHI: Outgoing finance minister Arun Jaitley has decided not to immediately join Prime Minister Narendra Modi ’s second Cabinet because of health reasons in a development that can have important bearing on the dynamics of the Union Cabinet which will be sworn in on Thursday.In a letter to the PM, Jaitley referred to “serious health challenges” that have troubled him for the last 18 months to say that though “he had emerged out of most of them”, he needed to take a break. “I am writing to formally request you that I should be allowed a reasonable time for myself, my treatment and my health, therefore, not be part of any responsibility, for the present, in the government.”Jaitley, who released his letter on social media on Wednesday afternoon, also mentioned he had informally conveyed to Modi his desire to sit out on May 18, when the Prime Minister visited Kedarnath , and volunteered to informally handle assignments for the government and BJP.In the evening, Modi visited Jaitley, his friend and colleague for decades, at the latter’s residence.The recusal of Jaitley, who handled defence, corporate affairs and I&B portfolios at different points during Modi’s first tenure, will require the Prime Minister to find a dependable pair of hands for the finance ministry. BJP circles have speculated that party chief Amit Shah could be the pick though his shift will leave the party leadership grappling with the task of finding a substitute given the leader’s success in the assignment.An important part of the government, Jaitley had lately been hamstrung by health issues. Though he carried on and oversaw the publicity part of BJP’s poll campaign, health troubles forced him to avoid public engagements towards the last phase of electioneering.In his letter, the BJP leader acknowledged that he needed to pause to recuperate. “During the last 18 months, I have had serious health challenges. My doctors have enabled me to emerge out of most of them. After the campaign had concluded and you were leaving for Kedarnath, I had orally informed you that even though I was able to discharge the responsibilities assigned to me during the campaign, I would, in future, for some time, like to keep away from any responsibility. This will enable me to concentrate on my treatment and health,” he wrote.“I would obviously have a lot of time at my disposal to undertake any work informally to support the government or the party,” he further said. He had been meeting officials and visitors at his residence in the last few days, but medical advice prevented him from public engagements.There was uncertainty about the second role that Jaitley performed: leader of the Rajya Sabha . So far, all the leaders of both Houses have been ministers .However, this is not a legal requirement and BJP can continue with Jaitley as the leader of Upper House if it chooses to break from convention. The role of leader of the House does not become crucial until July, when the budget session is to be convened.In his letter, Jaitley thanked the PM and the party, “It was a great honour and a learning experience for me to have been part of the government led by you for the past five years. Even earlier, the party had blessed me with responsibilities in the first NDA government, in the organisation and also while we were in the opposition. I could not have asked for more.”