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Recalling his days with the former Indian President, Advani stated “Pranab Da, as many of us addressed him with affection, was someone with whom I have had a long and cherished association. “
Pranab Mukherjee passed away on Monday evening at Army's Research and Referral Hospital at the age of 84. He had been in coma after a brain surgery earlier this month. In the morning, the hospital had reported a decline in his condition.
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In a statement, Advani said “Although I am older, but Pranab Da was one year senior to me as a Parliamentarian. I became a Member of Parliament in the year 1970 while Pranab Da became an MP in 1969.”
“We belonged to different ideologies but from day one of my meeting him, a mutual bond of respect was formed between us,” he stated.
Pranab Da was known and respected for his sharp, analytical mind and was someone who believed in the necessity of dialogue and cooperation among people of various ideological and political backgrounds.
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Advani stated “His (Mukherjee’s) own reflective nature, combined with his long and varied experience in public life, made him a statesman who was admired by people across the political spectrum.
Advani stated that Pranab Mukherjee was more than a colleague to him and that he has shared various lunches with the former President. “To me personally, he was more than a colleague and we have shared valuable moments both inside and outside of our public lives, which extended even to our families. The memories of various lunches we shared together will always be special in my heart,” he stated.
“Although Pranab Da was hospitalised for the last couple of weeks, we were all hoping that he would recover soon. His passing away is a huge loss to the nation. I have lost a friend. May his soul rest in peace. My heartfelt condolences to Sharmistha, Abhijit, Indrajit and all members of his family. Om Shanti,” Advani writes.
Condoling Mukherjee’s demise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India is grieved at the demise of Mukherjee, adding that he left an "indelible mark on the development trajectory of our nation".
The veteran Congress leader was admitted to the hospital at 12.07 p.m. on August 10 in a critical condition.