NEW DELHI: Describing himself as ‘a creation of this Parliament’, outgoing President Pranab Mukherjee today said that his years in Parliament were enriched by many leaders.
Speaking at a function in the Central Hall where members of both Houses of Parliament bid him farewell, President Mukherjee said,”when I first entered the hallowed Parliament, I was 34-years-old. I represented one of the six seats from Rajya Sabha. I attended my first session in July 1969. In July 1969 I was elected to Rajya Sabha from West Bengal. For 37 years I was member of this Parliament. If I claim I am the creation of this Parliament, perhaps it will not be treated as immodest. It will be with a tinge of sadness that I will leave this magnificent building.”
Addressing Members of Parliament at the function, where Vice President Hamid Ansari, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar, members of the Union Cabinet, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and veteran BJP leader LK Advani were among those present, Mr Mukherjee lamented increasing disruptions in Parliament in recent years.
”It is unfortunate that Parliament time devoted to legislation is declining, ”he said while addressing members of both Houses. Mr Mukherjee said his years in Parliament were enriched by many leaders, while crediting the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi as his mentor.
”My years in Parliament enriched by many leaders. My career as a parliamentarian was no doubt mentored by Indira Gandhi. She was a towering personality. She never hesitated to call a spade, a spade,” Mr Mukherjee said. (AGENCIES)
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