India appointed a temporary finance minister late Wednesday, just days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government is due to present its final budget before looming elections. Arun Jaitley, who has undergone medical treatment in the US, would be "temporarily" replaced by railways minister Piyush Goyal, President Ram Nath Kovind announced in a statement.
The 66-year-old has a history of medical problems and was last away from office in 2018 after having a kidney transplant. "Jaitley has undergone surgery at a hospital in New York on Tuesday," the Press Trust of India reported, citing sources. "(He) has been advised at least two weeks rest by doctors," it said, adding that he had also undergone tests for soft tissue cancer.
Modi's government will present its last budget on February 1 ahead of elections due by May. Locked in a tough fight to stay in power, his government is expected to roll out measures to woo key voter demographics, particularly the middle classes and farmers. After winning a landslide in 2014, Modi faces disenchantment and anger from urban voters and farmers, including over unemployment.