Arun Jaitley died at the AIIMS in the national capital on Saturday. (File)
Former finance minister Arun Jaitley was cremated at the Nigambodh Ghat in New Delhi with full State honours today in the presence of leaders from across the political spectrum and many party workers. The 66-year-old BJP stalwart died at the AIIMS in the national capital on Saturday, where he had been admitted for two weeks. Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, BJP veteran LK Advani, party president and Home Minister Amit Shah, party's working president J P Nadda, and Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Nirmala Sitharaman and Smriti Irani attended the funeral. Congress leaders Jyotiraditya Scindia and Kapil Sibal were also present at the cremation ground. BJP workers queued up in large numbers outside the party headquarters since morning to pay their last respects to the leader.
Here are the highlights as leaders pay last respect to Arun Jaitley
The Punjab government will observe state mourning tomorrow as a mark of respect towards former Union finance minister Arun Jaitley, who died in New Delhi on Saturday. "There will be no official entertainment in government offices during the mourning period," said a statement issued by the state government in Chandigarh on Sunday.
Dalai Lama Condoles Arun Jaitley's Death:
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Sunday condoled the death of former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. In a condolence letter written to his wife Sangeeta Jaitley, he said: "As a distinguished attorney and public servant Mr. Jaitley dedicated himself to the service of the Indian people. I applaud his sense of public service. At this sad and difficult time, please know that you and your family are in my thoughts."
Arun Jaitley Very Impressive As Minister: Shashi Tharoor
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Sunday remembered Arun Jaitley, calling him a friend from their college days in Delhi University. "Arun Jaitley and I have known each other since we were students. He was the president of DUSU when I was the president of St Stephens College Student's Union." Mr Tharoor added: "As a minister, he was very impressive. I thought that asking questions to him in Parliament was always rewarding as he gave you serious answers, precisely expressed."
Japan condoles Arun Jaitley's death:
"On behalf of the Government and the people of Japan, I would like to express my deepest and sincerest condolences to the bereaved family and the people of India. Mr Jaitley's great contribution to elevating our bilateral relationship to a new height, during his tenure as minister of Finance and minister of Defence, will be remembered by the people of Japan. He was a true friend of Japan in India," Japanese envoy to India Kenji Hiramatsu on Sunday said.
Arun Jaitley's Presence In Parliament Will Be Remembered: Rahul GandhiAs Arun Jaitley, former Finance Minister and BJP veteran who died on Saturday, was cremated with state honours in Delhi this afternoon, Rahul Gandhi in a letter has said Mr Jaitley's presence will be remembered in Parliament.
In a condolence message to Mr Jaitley's wife Sangeeta, Mr Gandhi said that in his illustrious career spanning over four decades, Mr Jaitley left his mark on politics.
"Although his voice will no longer reverberate within the hallowed portals of Parliament, we will remember his presence," he said in the letter.
"Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. I wish you peace and strength during this difficult time," Mr Gandhi said.
Arun Jaitley's final rites performed at Nigambodh Ghat.
Ramdev, Arvind Kejriwal Attend Arun Jaitley's Funeral 
"Great Loss To Democracy": Congress's Rajeev Shukla On Arun Jaitley's DeathSenior Congress leader Rajeev Shukla and chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Sunday said Arun Jaitley's death was ''a great loss to democracy, political fulcrum and legal and cricket fraternity''.
Speaking to ANI, Mr Shukla said, "In passing away of Jaitley, the country has lost a valuable leader."
Ravi Shankar Prasad, BS Yeddiyurappa, Devendra Fadnavis, and Nitish Kumar are also at the Nigambodh Ghat. Kapil Sibal and Jyotiraditya Scindia from Congress are also at the venue.
Emotional BJP Leaders Attend Arun Jaitley's Funeral
BJP leaders Amit Shah, Rajnath, Venkaiah Naidu, Om Birla and JP Nadda attend Arun Jaitley's funeral.
Arun Jaitley's funeral procession has reached Nigambodh Ghat.
Funeral Procession On Its Way To Nigambodh GhatThe funeral procession is on its way to Nigambodh Ghat.
Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju paid tributes to Arun Jaitley at BJP headquarters in Delhi this morning.
BJP leaders are at party headquarters to pay their last respects to Arun Jaitley.
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Senior Leaders Pay Tribute
Arun Jaitley's Body Being Moved To BJP Office In DelhiHis body, which was taken to his Delhi home last evening, is being moved to the BJP headquarters in a decorated gun carriage.
Arun Jaitley's health issues became worse after he had a kidney transplant in May last year. He did not contest the 2019 Lok Sabha election presumably because of his ill-health.
Arun Jaitley, a lawyer by profession, had been an important part in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet in the BJP government's first term. He held the finance and defence portfolios, and often acted as the chief troubleshooter of the government.
Arun Jaitley's Last Rites At 2:30 PM His body will be kept at the BJP headquarters in Delhi today between 10:30 am and 1 pm where party workers and leaders will pay tributes. The last rites will take place at the Nigambodh Ghat at 2:30 pm, the BJP said in a tweet.