Patna, August 31: A statue of former Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will be installed in Bihar, state Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced on Saturday. Arun Jaitley, a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), an ally of Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United), died on August 24 after a prolonged illness. The chief minister also said the birth anniversary of Jaitley will be celebrated as a state function every year. Jaitley was born on December 28, 1952. Arun Jaitley Dies at 66: Former FM Was PM Narendra Modi's Go-To Man Who Had Friends on Both Sides of the Aisle.

Earlier, the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) announced to rename the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium as the Arun Jaitley Stadium in a tribute to the former DDCA President and BCCI Vice-President. "Kotla to be renamed as Arun Jaitley Stadium. The renaming of Delhi's famous cricket venue as Arun Jaitley Stadium will take place on September 12 at a function where a Stand of the ground will be named after India captain Virat Kohli," DDCA has tweeted. DDCA Has Taken Right Decision in Renaming Feroz Shah Kotla After Arun Jaitley: Kiren Rijiju.

BJP MP and former India opener Gautam Gambhir had last week written a letter to Delhi Lt. Governor Anil Baijal stating that the Yamuna Sports Complex should be renamed after Jaitley for his contribution to nation-building and for his love for cricket. "May he remain in our hearts forever. As a mark of respect to our beloved leader, I hereby propose to rename 'Yamuna Sports Complex' as 'Arun Jaitley Sports Complex," Gambhir had said in a tweet.

The Indian team had also worn black armbands as a mark of respect for Jaitley during the third day's play of the first Test between India and West Indies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had paid an emotional tribute to Jaitley, describing him as a dear friend with whom he had traversed the long journey from their student days together and later in political life.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 31, 2019 02:19 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).