PM MODI SENDS PRANAB LETTER
Fondly remembering the time they shared, prime MInister Narendra Modi praised former President Pranab Mukherjee’s “strength of intellect and wisdom” in his farewell letter to him.
NEWDELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised former President Pranab Mukherjee’s “strength of intellect and wisdom”, which, he said in his farewell letter to the President last week, helped them work with synergy despite believing in different ideologies.
Mukherjee tweeted out on Thursday a copy of the letter, which he said “touched my heart”.
The letter offers glimpses of the PM’s deep respect for Mukherjee, who was one of the senior-most leaders of Modi’s arch-rival party, the Congress, before he became President in 2012.
“Pranab da, our political journeys took shape in different political parties. Our ideologies, at times, have been different. Our experiences are also varied. My administrative experience was from my state, whereas you have seen the expanse of our national polity and politics for decades...” “Yet, such is the strength of your intellect and wisdom that we were able to work together with synergy,” the PM said. Mukherjee retired last month.
During one of his farewell speeches earlier, Mukherjee had said there were differences between Modi and him but it never affected the government’s functioning.
Modi showered praise on Mukherjee, describing him as a father figure whose legacy will continue to guide him.
BJP president Amit Shah said Modi’s letter to Mukherjee has set an example about the kind of respect and behaviour that should be shown towards the person holding the highest constitutional office.
He added that it spelt out the bond between the two leaders from different political ideologies.
Shah said it was an example of how, by rising above party lines, the prestige of the highest constitutional post could be enhanced with mutual respect.