Pranab Mukherjee, Coronavirus Positive, Dies Weeks After Surgery

[MP2011]

Pranab Mukherjee, Coronavirus Positive, Dies Weeks After Surgery

New Delhi: Pranab Mukherjee, the elder statesman of Indian politics, has died at 84. The former President of India, who had tested positive for coronavirus, had been in coma after a brain surgery earlier this month.

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


The Centre has announced seven days of state mourning for the former President.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first to pay tribute, saying he was blessed to have Pranab Mukherjee's guidance since he took office.

"India grieves the passing away of Bharat Ratna 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," the PM said in tweets. "I was new to Delhi in 2014. From Day 1, I was blessed to have the guidance, support and blessings of Shri Pranab Mukherjee. I will always cherish my interactions with him. Condolences to his family, friends, admirers and supporters across India. Om Shanti," he wrote.

This morning, the army hospital in Delhi had reported a decline in the former President's condition. He had gone into septic shock due to his lung infection, the Army's Research and Referral Hospital had said.

Mr Mukherjee was admitted to hospital on August 10 and had surgery the same day for the removal of a clot in the brain. He had tested positive for COVID-19 in hospital. "On a visit to the hospital for a separate procedure, I have tested positive for COVID-19 today. I request the people who came in contact with me in the last week, to please self-isolate and get tested for COVID-19," he had posted.

He developed a lung infection and a renal dysfunction over the past few days, according to doctors.

In the past few weeks, there had been an outpouring of get-well-soon wishes from politicians across parties for the veteran, who was minister of finance, defence and external affairs in several governments until he took the country's highest post.

Mr Mukherjee was President of India from 2012 to 2017.

The former President's daughter and Congress leader Sharmistha Mukherjee, in a tweet, had remembered this time last year when he had received the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian honour.

"Last year August 8 was one of the happiest days for me as my dad received Bharat Ratna. Exactly a year later on August 10 he fell critically ill. May God do whatever is best for him and give me strength to accept both joys and sorrows of life with equanimity. I sincerely thank all for their concerns," she had posted.

 

[MP2011]

RIP, Pranab da.

 

[Slog]

Rip.

 

[gani999]

Pranab Mukherjee was genuinely knowledgeable and well read. One of the few remaining Congress party members who was truly worthy of respect.

I can never forget the time he scolded Rajdeep Sardesai as if he were an errant schoolboy.

RIP, Pranabda

 

[MP2011]

Could've been PM twice ('84 & '09) but was not to be.

Perhaps the best PM, we never had.

 

[MP2011]

Remember the way he schooled sanghis in their own den in '18. Here were his exact words,



"Any attempt at defining our nationhood in terms of dogmas and identities of religion, region, hatred and intolerance will only lead to dilution of our national identity. It was this Nationalism that Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru so vividly expressed in the Discovery of India, and I quote," said Pranab Mukherjee in his speech. '"I am convinced that Nationalism can only come out of the ideological fusion of Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, and other groups in India. That does not mean that extinction of any real culture of any group, but it does mean a common national outlook, to which other matters are subordinated."'

Pranab Mukherjee ended with, "The soul of India resides in pluralism and tolerance. This plurality of our society has come through assimilation of ideas over centuries. Secularism and inclusion are a matter of faith for us. It is our composite culture which makes us into one nation."

He smiled as he told me, "I wanted to go to the lion's den and show them where they are going wrong."



Sanghis must be squirming to hear Nehru's name being chanted in their own den.

 

[JaDed]

Could've been PM twice ('84 & '09) but was not to be.

Perhaps the best PM, we never had.

That is Kamraj.

 

[JaDed]

Remember the way he schooled sanghis in their own den in '18. Here were his exact words,



"Any attempt at defining our nationhood in terms of dogmas and identities of religion, region, hatred and intolerance will only lead to dilution of our national identity. It was this Nationalism that Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru so vividly expressed in the Discovery of India, and I quote," said Pranab Mukherjee in his speech. '"I am convinced that Nationalism can only come out of the ideological fusion of Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, and other groups in India. That does not mean that extinction of any real culture of any group, but it does mean a common national outlook, to which other matters are subordinated."'

Pranab Mukherjee ended with, "The soul of India resides in pluralism and tolerance. This plurality of our society has come through assimilation of ideas over centuries. Secularism and inclusion are a matter of faith for us. It is our composite culture which makes us into one nation."

He smiled as he told me, "I wanted to go to the lion's den and show them where they are going wrong."



Sanghis must be squirming to hear Nehru's name being chanted in their own den.

That was epic trolling by Pranob Da

 

[Lurker_Ind]

RIP Pranab Mukherjee.

 

[MP2011]

That is Kamraj.

Yeah, completely forgot about him.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Very politicians in our countries earn respect. Pranab da was one such rare gem. You will be missed Sir. Very sad day for Indian politics. Politicians like these are not there anymore.

 

[Swashbuckler]

Legendary Congress leader, excelled in all responsibilities given to him by the party and govt, brought respect to President's office. If he had become PM, history of India would have been different and there wouldn't have been so much public anger against Congress in subsequent years. As usual the Gandhi family had to destroy the party and put family's interests first.

In 70s he was a Cabinet Minister in Indira's govt, leader of Rajya Sabha in 80s, Finance Minister in early 80s. He should have become PM in 1984 but Rajiv Gandhi gained control and expelled him. Leader of Lok Sabha in 2004, sidelined by Sonia Gandhi who chose Manmohan Singh as PM, but still he contributed in the Union Cabinet: Finance, Defence, External Affairs. Great President as well. What a long and illustrous career. Rest in Peace Sir.

 

[CricketCartoons]

Legendary Congress leader, excelled in all responsibilities given to him by the party and govt, brought respect to President's office. If he had become PM, history of India would have been different and there wouldn't have been so much public anger against Congress in subsequent years. As usual the Gandhi family had to destroy the party and put family's interests first.

In 70s he was a Cabinet Minister in Indira's govt, leader of Rajya Sabha in 80s, Finance Minister in early 80s. He should have become PM in 1984 but Rajiv Gandhi gained control and expelled him. Leader of Lok Sabha in 2004, sidelined by Sonia Gandhi who chose Manmohan Singh as PM, but still he contributed in the Union Cabinet: Finance, Defence, External Affairs. Great President as well. What a long and illustrous career. Rest in Peace Sir.

You should read his books on indian politics, if you haven't. One of the last breed of politicians who were respected across the political spectrum. Though he was not above board and had lied to the parliament as the finance minister and some other things are common knowledge in govt circles, especially those who have worked in south block. But not the right time.

 

[MP2011]

He should have become PM in 1984 but Rajiv Gandhi gained control and expelled him.

Rajiv didn't expel him but he himself left Congress and even made a new party Rastritya Samajwadi Congress (1986-1989) in West Bengal. However considering he wasn't part of Rajiv cabinet despite being no.2 in erstwhile Indira government pretty much sealed his fate in Congress.

 

[MP2011]

Interesting read about Indira's assassination,



At the time of her assassination, Pranab Mukherjee was Indira Gandhi's closest political advisor and highest-ranking minister in the government.

"On 31 October 1984, Rajiv Gandhi and I were onstage at a rally in Kanthi, West Bengal. I had just finished speaking when I received a cryptic message. 'The Prime Minister has been assaulted. Return to Delhi immediately.' Rajiv was giving his speech, so I passed him a note asking him to cut it short. He did so, and we immediately started planning our return to Delhi. My colleague Ghani Khan Choudhary had his Mercedes while we were travelling in Ambassadors. He suggested we take his car, since it would be faster.

"Rajiv had the radio tuned to the BBC, then at one point he turned to me and said, 'Pranab, the BBC is saying sixteen bullets have been fired into her.' He then turned to his personal security officer sitting next to me and asked, 'This gun you're carrying to protect me, how potent are the bullets?' The poor man was a loss how to answer, then he said sheepishly, 'Very powerful, sir!' I tried to keep his hopes up by pointing out that the BBC had also reported that I, along with Rajiv, had reached Delhi, while we were still on the highway. I told him if they're wrong about this, they could be wrong about that too. However, the sense of foreboding wouldn't go away as we drove silently on," Pranab recounted.

"At Kolkata airport, we boarded a special plane to Delhi. Rajiv went into the cockpit. When he emerged, all he said was, 'She is dead'."

The plane was full of senior Congress leaders and Rajiv Gandhi's statement was met with shock. While her son kept his composure, Pranab Mukherjee remembered breaking down.

"I was shattered. I just kept crying and crying. Sheila Dixit, who was on the same flight, had to give me three or four handkerchiefs as I wet each one with my tears," he said.

Despite his grief, Pranab's first instinct was to take charge of the situation. His political mentor was dead and there were rumours that Pranab Mukherjee expected to be sworn in as the next Prime Minister instead of the relatively inexperienced Rajiv Gandhi, who was a first-time MP at the time.

"Complete canards," he said dismissively. "I was number two in government then and I realized immediately there must be no vacuum between the death of a Prime Minister and the swearing in of a new one...I asked Rajiv to take over as Prime Minister and that he had to be sworn in as soon as we landed," he said emphatically.

And then perhaps the most chilling part, a decision by the ever-pragmatic Pranab - "Indira Gandhi had to be kept officially alive till Rajiv Gandhi was sworn in. Her death could not be announced. That message was relayed," he concluded tersely.

When they landed in Delhi, the Chief of Army Staff, the Cabinet Secretary and others were waiting to meet Rajiv Gandhi at the airport. It was at the airport that the Cabinet Secretary told Pranab Mukherjee that he should be sworn in as interim prime minister because he was the senior-most minister after Indira Gandhi.

"But I refused," remembered Pranab. "I told the Cabinet Secretary we have had an informal meeting on the aircraft, Rajiv, I and other senior Congress leaders like then Bengal governor, Uma Shankar Dixit, we have decided Rajiv Gandhi should take over as the next prime minister. The Cabinet Secretary immediately ordered Rajiv Gandhi's security to be enhanced and preparations began immediately."

Rajiv Gandhi was eventually sworn in that night by President Giani Zail Singh along with a small group of four ministers, including Pranab Mukherjee. Twelve hours after her death, the Vice President announced the news about Indira Gandhi and the swearing in of a new government simultaneously on Doordarshan.

"Mrs Gandhi had to be kept 'alive' till the new Prime Minister took over," Pranab Mukherjee told me. "It's like they say in Great Britain - The King is Dead, Long Live the King. There can be no vacuum."

https://www.ndtv.com/book-excerpts/...-gandhi-pm-modi-2288161?pfrom=home-topstories

 

[MP2011]

And lol this,



Pranab Mukherjee was an avid reader but had little interest in cinema. He watched Aamir Khan’s Rang de Basanti in 2006 in his capacity as India’s defence minister, as the armed forces had issues with some of the scenes. The last film he had watched before that was Satyajit Ray’s Jalsaghar (1958).

Actor-turned-politician Vinod Khanna wasn’t aware of this when he was first elected to Parliament on a BJP ticket, so he rushed after Mukherjee while the latter was walking towards his office in Parliament.

“Sir, I am Vinod Khanna,” the actor kept repeating, but Mukherjee wouldn’t care to stop and see. As Mukherjee reached the office door, a desperate Khanna tried again: “Sir, I am Gurdaspur MP.”

Mukherjee suddenly stopped and turned around: “Oh, welcome, welcome. Please come.”

 

[CricketCartoons]

Rajiv didn't expel him but he himself left Congress and even made a new party Rastritya Samajwadi Congress (1986-1989) in West Bengal. However considering he wasn't part of Rajiv cabinet despite being no.2 in erstwhile Indira government pretty much sealed his fate in Congress.

But he says in his autobio that he formed that party after he was expelled from congress, and didn't leave himself. What is your source? Any answers or usual radio silence?

 

[Bhaijaan]

Legendary Congress leader, excelled in all responsibilities given to him by the party and govt, brought respect to President's office. If he had become PM, history of India would have been different and there wouldn't have been so much public anger against Congress in subsequent years. As usual the Gandhi family had to destroy the party and put family's interests first.

In 70s he was a Cabinet Minister in Indira's govt, leader of Rajya Sabha in 80s, Finance Minister in early 80s. He should have become PM in 1984 but Rajiv Gandhi gained control and expelled him. Leader of Lok Sabha in 2004, sidelined by Sonia Gandhi who chose Manmohan Singh as PM, but still he contributed in the Union Cabinet: Finance, Defence, External Affairs. Great President as well. What a long and illustrous career. Rest in Peace Sir.

Rajiv Gandhi over him in 1990s sounds bad.

But to be honest, in 2004, it's not like Congress took the PMs role and gave it to someone silly. Manmohan Singh was as competent if not more. He was also an ex cabinet minister at the time.

With all its flaws, there is still space for people like MMS, Pranab to flourish within party. Even BJP had space for such people back in the day under Vajpayee.

But look at the sorry state of affairs now. Especially in the incumbent party.

Indian politics is running out of academically sound people and it's hurting us because what we have is just noise and no work. People like Modi, Yogi, Rahul, Smriti are hogging all the limelight with their noise and none of them is capable at anything in particular.

For years , I tried to brush it aside, but the dark times looming over India as a result of these noisy yet useless so called leaders are going to be here for years and probably decades. We are in the midst of a disaster and things are going worse.

 

[Bhaijaan]

You should read his books on indian politics, if you haven't. One of the last breed of politicians who were respected across the political spectrum. Though he was not above board and had lied to the parliament as the finance minister and some other things are common knowledge in govt circles, especially those who have worked in south block. But not the right time.

Fascinating insights from Pranab da.

 

[Madplayer]

Crypto-sanghi like a lot of Indian politicians.

 

[Swashbuckler]

Crypto-sanghi like a lot of Indian politicians.

How?

 

[gani999]

Rajiv Gandhi over him in 1990s sounds bad.




For years , I tried to brush it aside, but the dark times looming over India as a result of these noisy yet useless so called leaders are going to be here for years and probably decades. We are in the midst of a disaster and things are going worse.

India has seen worse, to be honest.

The present bunch, no matter what, are a lot better than V.P.Singh, Deve Gowda, I.K.Gujral and the other sundry clowns we had in the 1990s.

 

[CricketCartoons]

India has seen worse, to be honest.

The present bunch, no matter what, are a lot better than V.P.Singh, Deve Gowda, I.K.Gujral and the other sundry clowns we had in the 1990s.

What was wrong was VP Singh?

 

[Napa]

Lots of Indian posters in this thread parading their ignorance about Indian politics. Read up about Mukherjee, Ambani, PTA, licenses, corruption, crony capitalism etc.

 

[Bhaijaan]

India has seen worse, to be honest.

The present bunch, no matter what, are a lot better than V.P.Singh, Deve Gowda, I.K.Gujral and the other sundry clowns we had in the 1990s.

What's gone is gone.

There's not much to talk about present bunch. The worst part about this lot is they all thump their chest about things as if they are so good but they're all a walking disaster.