Former Indian President and Congress stalwart Pranab Mukherjee passes away

His son Abhijit tweeted: "With a Heavy Heart , this is to inform you that my father Shri #PranabMukherjee has just passed away inspite of the best efforts of Doctors of RR Hospital & prayers ,duas & prarthanas from  people throughout India ! I thank all of You."

Mukherjee, who is survived by his son Abhijit and daughter Sharmistha (both Congress politicians, wife Suvra Mukherjee predeceased him), had tested positive for Novel Coronavirus when he went to the hospital for a separate health condition.

Once a close confidant of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, he had also held key ministerial portfolios of finance, defence and external affairs at various times in his illustrious political career.

A politician and statesman who had cordial relations with leaders cutting across party lines, he was often referred to in Indian politics as "the best Congress Prime Minister the country never had".

Mukherjee underwent the lifesaving emergency surgery for brain clot on Aug 10. But his condition worsened and he was put on ventilator support.

Mukherjee served as the 13th President of the country of 1.3 billion people between 2012-2017.

Prior to becoming the President, he remained a Congress leader for decades and held several key portfolios as a Union Minister.

Pranab Mukherjee was all set to be the prime minister of India after Indira Gandhi's assassination on Oct 31, 1984 by Khalistani terrorists. But steeped in dynastic politics, Congress instead chose Indira Gandhi's son Rajiv Gandhi for the top post.

Mukherjee, however, remained relevant in Indian politics all through holding many key ministries in the government and senior positions in the Congress. He became the President of India in 2012.

While he was supposedly short-changed during the regime of Rajiv Gandhi, he returned as a key decision maker in politics under Sonia Gandhi after Rajiv Gandhi's assassination.

He was always considered a leader close to the Gandhi family that helm the Congress party and though he was sidelined under Rajiv Gandhi, he was back in the thick of things in Congress under Sonia Gandhi.

Pranab Mukherjee was born in Mirati, a village in the Birbhum district of West Bengal in 1935. His father was Kamada Kinkar Mukherjee, a freedom fighter and a Congress leader. His mother was Rajlakshmi Mukherjee.

He studied in the Suri Vidyasagar College in Birbhum) under the University of Calcutta and later did Masters in Political Science & History from the same university. He also earned an LL.B. degree.

After a stint in the Post and Telegraph department in Kolkata, in 1963, he became a Lecturer of Political Science at Vidyanagar College, Kolkata. He also worked as a journalist briefly and then joined politics full time.

During the  Internal Emergency of 1975–77 imposed by Indira Gandhi, he earned the condemnation of many like most Congress leaders of that era, but he remained loyal to Indira.

His first assignment as a Finance Minister of India was in 1982–84. He was also the Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha from 1980 to 1985.

During the prime ministership of P. V. Narasimha Rao, he was appointed the Planning Commission head (1991). He was the foreign (external affairs) minister in 1995.

Pranab Mukherjee for the first time won a Lok Sabha (lower house of Parliament) election in 2004 when the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) came into power.

Till 2012 when he became the President of India, Mukherjee was almost second to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in government. He held Defence (2004–06), External Affairs (2006–09) and Finance (2009–12) during this period besides being Leader of the House in the Lok Sabha.

Mukherjee was also known for celebrating and performing the four-day Durga Puja piously at his ancestral home in Mirati in West Bengal every year, an event widely covered in national media.

Major reactions:

President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted: "Sad to hear that former President Shri Pranab Mukherjee is no more. His demise is passing of an era. A colossus in public life, he served Mother India with the spirit of a sage. The nation mourns losing one of its worthiest sons. Condolences to his family, friends & all citizens."

Indian PM Narendra Modi tweeted, "India grieves the passing away of Bharat Ratna Shri Pranab Mukherjee. He has left an indelible mark on the development trajectory of our nation. A scholar par excellence, a towering statesman, he was admired across the political spectrum and by all sections of society."

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu posted: "Deeply saddened by the passing away of former President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee. The country has lost an elder statesman in his death. He rose from humble beginnings to occupy the country’s highest constitutional position through hard work, discipline and dedication."

Seven days mourning: 

Meanwhile, the Indian government announced seven-day state mourning to honour the leader.

It will be observed throughout India from 31 August to 6 September.

"As a mark of respect to the departed dignitary, seven days State Mourning will be observed throughout India from 31.08.2020 to 06.09.2020, both days inclusive. During the period of State Mourning the National Flag will fly at halfmaston all buildings throughout India, where it is flown regularly and there will be no official entertainment," read a government statement.

All govt establishments/offices/institutions will be closed tomorrow in West Bengal.