Farewell to Pranab, PM say, we will miss him
New Delhi. Finance Minister and UPA’s Presidential nominee Pranab Mukherjee got a warm farewell today by Congress Working Committee (CWC), the highest decision making body of the party, today.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called him the real trouble shooter. “He (Mukherjee) shouldered crucial responsibilities in the government; his absence will be felt,” said Prime Minister.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi, while extolling Mukherjee as the most capable candidate for the president’s post, recognised him as the “senior-most member of the CWC”.
Sonia expressed confidence that he would be elected by an overwhelming majority. Mukherjee has been a member of the CWC since long.
An emotional Mukherjee, while thanking the party, said: “The party has given me much more than what I have given the party.”
He said he had always considered himself foremost as a Congress worker. Mukherjee has served in several capacities, including that of party treasurer, party spokesperson, All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary and West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee chief.
Earlier, Mukherjee received a warm send-off from officials of Finance Ministry whom he thanked for the support extended during his three-year stint at North Block.
In the midst of farewells he received today, the 77-year-old leader promised the quotes-seeking media a “last message” before he submits his resignation to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh somtime tomorrow afternoon.
“I got full support of all officials in whatever I achieved so far as a finance minister. I thank all the I officials for their support and co-operation,” he remarked at a send-off hosted by told officials including Finance Secretary R S Gujral, Economic Affairs Secretary R Gopalan and Chief Economic Advisor Kaushik Basu.
Two days after resigning as the finance minister, Mukherjee will formally file his nomination for the presidential election on June 28. Subsequently, from June 30, Mukherjee will embark on a countrywide election campaign, kicking off his campaign from Chennai.
