Finally Pranab Mukherjee has stepped down as the Finance Minister of India in the wake of Presidential Elections on July 19.
“Today, I stand ready to embark on a new journey…I am leaving behind my life as a political activist spanning over four decades,” Mukherjee told reporters outside his North Block office before submitting his resignation to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Mukherjee said besides the United Progressive Alliance partners, he enjoyed support of several regional parties including the Samajwadi Party, the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Janta Dal (United). “I feel humbled by the support,” he said.
“I know that not every decision which I have taken might have been right but I have taken those decisions keeping in view the interests of the people,” he added.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is likely to keep the finance portfolio with himself
Meanwhile, Presidential candidate Purno A. Sangma Tuesday sought support from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee but failed to get it.
Sangma termed the meeting as “very good” and said he was leaving Kolkata with a “lot of hope”. Banerjee told him that a decision on supporting him would be taken after discussions in the party.
“I had come to request Mamatadi for support. The meeting was very good. Apart from the presidential polls, we also discussed the political scenario in the country.
“I am very happy about the outcome of the meeting and I am going back with a lot of hope regarding Mamatadi’s support,” Sangma told reporters after the 30-minute talks at the state secretariat, Writers’ Building.
Addressing a large part of the media meet in Bengali, Sangma recalled how Banerjee had helped him when he left the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in 2004. Sangma had then merged his faction with the Trinamool.
“This time too I am hopeful of her support. The final decision is yet to be taken,” said the former Lok Sabha speaker.
Railway Minister and Trinamool general secretary Mukul Roy said the party was in no hurry to announce its stand.
“Sangmaji has asked for our support. After discussing the matter within, we will announce our stand at the right time and inform him. There is still a lot of time left. So there is no need to hurry,” said Roy.
Pitted against UPA candidate Pranab Mukherjee, Sangma has the backing of the Bharatiya Janata Party and some constituents of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) as also the AIADMK and the Biju Janata Dal.