New Delhi, May 29: Hours after former Union minister Arun Jaitley opted out from the new cabinet citing his health condition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader at his residence in New Delhi. PM Modi drove down to Jaitley's residence at around 8.30 pm on Wednesday. The meeting of both the leaders lasted for about half an hour. The main motive of PM Modi’s visit to Jaitley’s residence was to convince him to reconsider his decision of not joining the new cabinet. Narendra Modi to Take Oath as Prime Minister Today With His New Cabinet of Ministers in Rashtrapati Bhawan at 7 pm.

Earlier in the day, Jaitley wrote a letter to the Prime Minister expressing his wish not to join the new cabinet. The former Finance Minister wrote, “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 a part of any responsibility, for the present, in the new government.”

Here's the ANI Tweet:

The 66-year-old BJP leader, who was absent from Friday's Union Cabinet meeting, said he would 'undertake any work informally to support the government or the party'. The BJP leader further wrote, "During the last 18 months, I have had some 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.” Amit Shah to be Home Minister? PM Narendra Modi May Induct New Faces in Union Cabinet; Here's Who May Make It to The List.

Jaitley did not even attend the last cabinet meeting of the outgoing government. However, he went to the Finance Ministry for a customary meeting with top officials. That was his last engagement, a thanksgiving one, as Finance Minister. The 66-year-old senior BJP leader is a key strategist of the saffron party.

Modi will take oath as the Prime Minister of the country for the second consecutive on Thursday in Rashtrapati Bhawan at 7 pm along with a new cabinet of ministers. Prominent opposition leaders including UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi will attend the swearing-in ceremony.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 30, 2019 12:06 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).