New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman paid rich tributes to her predecessor Arun Jaitley, on his demise on Saturday describing him as a mentor with matchless astuteness. In a tweet, Sitharaman said, "No words can describe the loss of Shri @arunjaitley. A mentor to many of us, a guide and moral support and strength. Have learnt so much from him. A fine large-hearted person. Always ready to help anyone/everyone. His intelligence, sagacity, astuteness have no match."

No words can describe the loss of Shri @arunjaitley. A mentor to many of us, a guide and a moral support and strength. Have learnt so much from him. A fine large-hearted person. Always ready to help anyone/everyone. His intelligence, sagacity, astuteness have no match.

— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) August 24, 2019

Senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on Saturday afternoon at 12.07 pm after a prolonged illness. 66-year-old Jaitley was admitted to the hospital on August 9, 2019, after he complained of breathlessness and restlessness.