Bharat Ratna Pranab Mukherjee dies at 84, Tributes Pour In - A Brief Look at His Political Career

Former President of India Pranab Mukherjee passed away on August 31, 2020, after testing positive for COVID-19. The Veteran Congressman had undergone emergency surgery to remove a brain clot on August 10 after testing positive.

The former President was being treated at the Army's Research and Referral Hospital in Delhi. He was placed on ventilator support after his surgery. The official statement from the hospital revealed that his health had worsened post-surgery.

On August 19, 2020, Pranab Mukherjee had developed a lung infection and on August 25, the doctors had found his renal parameters slightly deranged for which he was being treated. The former President's health condition then declined further on August 31.

The 84-year-old had himself tweeted informing regarding his COVID-19 report. He had informed that he tested positive for coronavirus during a visit to the hospital for a separate procedure. 

The news of former President Pranab Mukherjee's demise was confirmed by his son Abhijit Mukherjee through his official social media handle. 

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 🙏

— Abhijit Mukherjee (@ABHIJIT_LS) August 31, 2020

President Ram Nath Kovind also shared the news of the former President's demise through his official twitter handle. He offered his heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the citizens of the entire nation.

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.

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 31, 2020

Prime Minister Narendra Modi through his official twitter handle acknowledged that Mr. Mukherjee has left an indelible mark on the development of India. He also mentioned that Mr. Mukherjee was admired across all the sections of society. 

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. pic.twitter.com/gz6rwQbxi6

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 31, 2020

Pranab Mukherjee: Know all about 13th President of India

Pranab Mukherjee had served as the 13th President of India from 2012 till 2017. He was a senior leader in the Indian National Congress before being elected as the President.

His political career spanned nearly five decades with a host of ministerial portfolios including the Finance Ministry. Mukherjee had served as the Union Minister of Finance from 2009 to 2012 before he was elected President.

He was honoured with India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna in 2019 by incumbent President Ram Nath Kovind.

Journey in Politics:

• Pranab Mukherjee first came into the political scene in 1969 when the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had supported his election to the Rajya Sabha.

• He soon became one of Indira Gandhi’s most trusted ministers even during the controversial Emergency.

• His first stint as the Finance Minister of India was between 1982- 84. He was also nominated as the Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha from 1980 to 1985.

• However, after the assassination of Indira Gandhi, Mukherjee felt sidelined in Congress under the premiership of Rajiv Gandhi and he broke away to form his party, the Rashtriya Samajwadi Congress.

• The party was merged into the Congress in 1989 after reaching a consensus with Rajiv Gandhi.

• The then Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao appointed Mukherjee as the head of the Planning Commission in 1991 and foreign minister in 1995.

• Mr. Mukherjee had played a significant role in Sonia Gandhi's ascension to the party's presidency in 1998. Mukherjee was elected to the Lok Sabha in 2004 for the first time when the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) came into power.

• Throughout his political career till his resignation in 2012, he held several key cabinet portfolios including as Defence Minister from 2004-2006, External Affairs from 2006-2009, and Finance Minister from 2009-2012.

• In July 2012, Mukherjee had comfortably beaten PA Sangma in the race to Rashtrapati Bhavan, winning 70 percent of the electoral-college vote.

• Mr. Mukherjee decided to not seek another term in 2017 and chose to retire from politics due to "health complications relating to old age". He was succeeded by Ram Nath Kovind as the 14th President of India.