Bharat Ratna Pranab Mukherjee dies at 84 – A Brief Look at His Political Career

Former President of India Sri Pranab Mukherjee passed away on August 31, 2020, after testing positive for COVID-19. On the month of August dated 19, 2020, Sri 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. As per doctors the former President’s health condition then declined further on August 31.

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

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

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. Sri Pranab Mukherjee was also nominated as the Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha from 1980 to 1985.

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

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

• All 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.

• During his Presidential election 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.