New Delhi: Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee thanked Congress President Sonia Gandhi for nominating him as the UPA candidate for the Presidential election and said he has accepted the offer with humility.
“I am deeply hounoured on my nomination as the candidate for the election to the office of President of India by my party and UPA-2. I am grateful to Congress President Sonia Gandhi for this recognition. I accept this offer with all humility,” he told reporters at his office here.
Mukherjee said, “In my long political career spanning over five decades, I have been fortunate to receive love, affection and confidence of my party colleagues and also the members and leaders of all political parties. I am deeply indebted to them. I will now again seek their indulgence and support for the next few weeks.”
“We have requested all political parties to lend their support,” he added.
On who will replace him as the Finance Minister, Mukherjee said, “It is up to the Prime Minister to decide who will be the next Finance Minister…the Congress President and the Prime Minister will decide.
Earlier in the day, Gandhi announced Mukherjee as the UPA candidate for the Presidential election at a meeting of the coalition partners. Mamata Banerjee, however, skipped the meeting. (PTI)
