Kolkata, Aug 24 (IANS): West Bengal BJP President Dilip Ghosh on Saturday paid tribute to former Union Minister Arun Jaitley and termed his untimely demise as an 'irreparable loss' to the country.

The state BJP leaders also postponed all party outdoor political activities for Saturday and Sunday to pay homage to the veteran leader.

"Jaitley ji was a popular politician, able administrator and a renowned lawyer in the Supreme Court. He was among the top two three lawyers in the country," Ghosh said.

"He played pivotal role in the governments of Atal ji and Modi ji and handled important portfolios with unmatched success. His death is an irreparable loss for all of us," he said.

Ghosh described Jaitley, the former Finance Minister in the first Narendra Modi government, as extremely handsome as well as sweet natured.

"He shared a cordial relationship with all politicians cutting across all political lines. It is a massive loss for the country to lose him at such a young age," he added.

Jaitley,66, breathed his last at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi on Saturday afternoon after a prolonged illness.