Former President Pranab Mukherjee, recipient of the country’s highest civilian award and a towering statesman admired across partisan lines, died in a hospital in Delhi on Monday, leaving a rich legacy that he built on a five-decade public life spanning he has cemented his place as dean of Indian politics and quintessential problem solver for Congress in its prime.
Mukherjee, 84, died of multiple organ failure after being admitted to the New Delhi Army Research and Referral Hospital three weeks ago. He fell into a coma after emergency surgery for a blood clot in his brain on August 10, and also tested positive for the coronavirus disease (Covid-19). His health deteriorated after a lung infection triggered septic shock.
Doctors said the parliamentarian died seven times from cardiac arrest at 4.30 pm. His family announced his death late at night, sparking a torrent of grief across the political spectrum. Mukherjee, who received the Bharat Ratna in 2019, is survived by two sons and a daughter; his wife died in 2015.
“During her decades-long political career, Shri Pranab Mukherjee made lasting contributions in key economic and strategic ministries. He was an outstanding MP, always well prepared, highly articulate and resourceful, “wrote Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Twitter, mourning the death of Mukherjee. “As President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee made Rashtrapati Bhavan even more accessible to ordinary citizens. He made the president’s house a center for learning, innovation, culture, science and literature. I will never forget his wise advice on key policy issues, “Modi said in a series of tweets.
The government announced seven days of state mourning for Mukherjee. “During the period … the national flag will fly at half mast on all buildings in India, where it is flown regularly, and there will be no official entertainment,” said a statement from the Home Office.
President Ram Nath Kovind, who succeeded Mukherjee, said his death is the passage of an era. “… A colossus in public life, he served Mother India with the spirit of a sage. The nation is in mourning for the loss of one of its most worthy children. Condolences to his family, friends and all citizens, ”Kovind tweeted.
The congressional parliamentary party also offered its condolences to Mukherjee’s family. “Pranabda (as he was affectionately called) had been such an integral and prominent part of national life, the Congress party and the central government for over five decades, it is hard to imagine how we can do it without his wisdom, experience, sage advice and a deep understanding of so many issues, “said a statement signed by Congress President Sonia Gandhi.” … Her life for the past 50 years reflected 50 years of Indian history, as she played a crucial role both in shaping the course of events as well as actively participating in them … ”she added.
Born in Mirati, a town in undivided Bengal, on December 11, 1935, Mukherjee entered Parliament in 1969. A former university professor with degrees in political science and history (master’s) and law, he became a protégé of the then PM, Indira. Gandhi, and he remained faithful to it, even during the Emergency (1975-77).
He lost the finance portfolio after Indira Gandhi was assassinated in 1984 and her son, Rajiv Gandhi, took over as prime minister. He formed his own party but returned to Congress in 1989 after reconciling with Rajiv Gandhi, who was assassinated in 1991. Mukherjee joined the cabinets of his successors in the Congress party, PV Narasimha Rao and Manmohan Singh, and emerged as a consensus builder.
Between 1973 and 2012, Mukherjee held the portfolios of foreign affairs, defense and finance, among other departments, for three PMs and also helped Congress navigate the complicated corridors of coalition politics. From 2012 to 2017, he served as the thirteenth president of India. Mukherjee served in the Rajya Sabha for five terms and in the Lok Sabha for two terms. He was the only non-prime minister of India who was leader of the Lok Sabha for eight years. He was the leader of the Rajya Sabha from 1980 to 1985.
Before becoming president in 2012, Mukherjee, credited with a keen memory and deep intellect, headed 24 of the 39 GOMs (groups of ministers) in the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) regime, an indication of his importance.
While Mukherjee himself said that the position of the country’s prime minister was not for him, it was widely believed to be his greatest ambition. In the end it remained a dream, but he eventually got a position at Rashtrapati Bhavan, from where he often acted as the guardian of the consciousness of national politics.
In 2018, a year after Mukherjee resigned as president, his visit to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters in Nagpur, a testament to his bipartisanship, sparked a dispute with a section of congressional leaders questioning the measure. . At that June event, Mukherjee spoke about celebrating diversity and tolerance, highlighting how India’s identity had taken shape after a “long process of confluence, assimilation and coexistence.” The speech ultimately received praise from all quarters.
On Monday, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat described Mukherjee as a “guide” to the Sangh who did not believe in political untouchability.
The ‘Citizen Mukherjee’, as described by his Twitter profile, did not lose touch with his roots despite his long journey through the alleys of power and prominence. Every year, he would visit his ancestral home during Durga Puja and perform prayers in traditional attire.
“With his death, our country has lost one of its greatest leaders in Independent India … I relied heavily on him for his wisdom, vast knowledge and experience in public affairs,” said former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
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