CWC bids farewell to Pranab

Mukherjee, the senior-most member of CWC, will resign as the finance minister today

It marked the end of a 34-year-long association, as Pranab Mukherjee, the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA)’s presidential candidate, was bid a warm farewell by the Congress Working Committee (CWC), the highest decision making body of the party, today.

“He (Mukherjee) shouldered crucial responsibilities in the government; his absence will be felt,” said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the meeting.

Mukherjee, who will resign as the finance minister tomorrow, was the UPA government’s main troubleshooter. He had reached out to allies and the Opposition alike several times in the past, and played a vital role in the Congress party also.

 

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.

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.

Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, will be his next stops, where he is expected to meet leaders of political parties.

An informal coordination committee has been set up to manage Mukherjee’s campaign, with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal heading it.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajeev Shukla and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office V Narayanasamy will be assisting him.

Several CWC members, including permanent invitees like R K Dhawan, Mohsina Kidwai and S C Jamir, all spoke of Mukherjee’s sterling qualities and contributions to the party.

In keeping with the air of celebration, Bengali sweet delicacy 'sandesh', was distributed at the meeting.

Later in the day, Congress scion and CWC member Rahul Gandhi drove down to the finance ministry to personally meet Mukherjee. Emerging from the meeting, he said: “We learn a lot from him. It is a matter of great happiness that he is going to become the president of the country”.

Congress sources confirm the prime minister himself is likely to take charge of the finance portfolio for the time being.

The party will also be hard-pressed to find a suitable replacement for the experienced and politically sharp Mukherjee, as the leader of the Lok Sabha.