A new book reveals that Atal Bihari Vajpayee rejected an offer to become President of India, a move that would have made Lal Krishna Advani Prime Minister. Vajpayee believed that a sitting PM becoming President would set a bad precedent for Indian democracy.
There was a long delay in deciding mercy pleas by the Presidents, which was also highlighted by the Supreme Court on Ffriday, but the situation changed when Pranab Mukherjee took charge on July 25 last year, disposing of petitions of 16 condemned prisoners within nine months.
In his final address, the president said that the soul of India resided in "pluralism and tolerance.
President Droupadi Murmu and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto arrived at Kartavya Path for the 76th Republic Day parade in a traditional horse-drawn buggy, a practice that made a comeback after a 40-year gap last year. The gold-plated, horse-drawn buggy is a black carriage with the national emblem embossed on it in gold. It was discontinued after the assassination of Indira Gandhi in 1984 but was revived by President Pranab Mukherjee in 2014. The buggy's history dates back to the British era, with India winning ownership through a coin toss after independence.
Veteran Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar, in his latest book, argues that Pranab Mukherjee should have been made Prime Minister in 2012 instead of Manmohan Singh, who was then recovering from health issues. Aiyar believes this would have prevented the "paralysis of governance" and "doomed" any prospects the Congress might have had to form UPA-III. He also criticizes the government's handling of the Anna Hazare-led agitation and the Commonwealth Games scandal, which he believes contributed to the party's downfall in the 2014 general elections.
'On a visit to the hospital for a separate procedure, I have tested positive for COVID19 today,' he tweeted. 'I request the people who came in contact with me in the last week, to please self isolate and get tested for COVID-19,' Mukherjee said.
Mukherjee's mortal remains were brought to his residence, 10, Rajaji Marg, earlier on Tuesday from the army hospital where he breathed his last on Monday.
President Pranab Mukherjee was on Wednesday conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Civil Law by the University of Mauritius. In a ceremony attended by President Rajkeswur Purryag and Prime Minister Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Mukherjee was conferred the honour by Sir Ramesh Jewoolall, chancellor of the university.
The presidential candidate of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance, Pranab Mukherjee on Friday stated that he banked on judgement of the members of the Electoral College for the outcome of the forthcoming Presidential election.
The presidents were escorted by the President's Bodyguard -- "Rashtrapati Ke Angrakshak".
The Rashtriya Janata Dal legislature party on Saturday decided unanimously to vote for United Progressive Alliance's candidate Pranab Mukherjee in the presidential polls to be held on July 19, the party's national president Lalu Prasad said. At the RJD legislature party meeting held at former chief minister Rabri Devi's residence, it was unanimously decided that all 22 Members of Legislative Assembly of the party in Bihar and five in Jharkhand would vote for Mukherjee.
Hazarika and Deshmukh were given the Bharat Ratna posthumously.
President Pranab Mukherjee -- rewarded as president yet not trusted enough to be prime minister.
He also performed puja at Basuki Naag temple in the premises by pouring milk.
External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee performed the first protocol duties of the prime minister on Saturday as he received Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev at the ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.As Prime Minister Manmohan Singh underwent a by-pass surgery, Mukherjee joined President Pratibha Patil in welcoming Nazarbayev on the forecourt of the majestic Presidential Palace."Our prime minister is indisposed, hence I am receiving you,"Mukherjee said
Lamenting the "unfortunate tendency" to take umbrage at the expression of any view considered hostile, President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday said the "freedom to doubt, disagree and dispute" must be protected.
The Sena has repeatedly said that its choice for the the highest office is the RSS chief.
Referring to first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru as the one who built modern India, Mukherjee said that he had helped build an atmosphere of free debate and discussions and not conflict and confrontation.
Nitin Gadkari led BJP delegation on Sunday met President Pranab Mukherjee over Kerala violence issue.
He said that over the years, India has conveyed the message of friendship, cooperation, debate and discussions through the institutions of higher learning.
As part of their ongoing campaign for the July 19 Presidential election, United Progressive Alliance nominee Pranab Mukherjee and his rival P A Sangma will be separately visiting Gujarat in next couple of days.
The sister of Sarabjit Singh, the death row prisoner languishing in a Pakistani jail, on Friday met President Pranab Mukherjee, seeking his intervention for his release and demanded that the Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad visit him in the prison to check on his health.
Opposition Presidential nominee P A Sangma on Monday sought cancellation of nomination of United Progressive Alliance candidate Pranab Mukherjee under the office of profit rules on the ground that he is the chairman of the Indian Statistical Institute.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday met senior Congress colleagues, including Pranab Mukherjee, to discuss the Presidential poll issue ahead of the United Progressive Alliance meeting.
Bharatiya Janata Party leader Maneka Gandhi, who met Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee in New Delhi on Monday, described him as an excellent candidate for the coveted post of President of India.
The attempt to scuttle Pranab Mukherjee's Presidential bid failed on Tuesday with the returning officer rejecting the objection of his opponent P A Sangma, who had raked up the issue of office of profit.
The 125 Helicopter Squadron (Gladiators) since its formation in November 1983 has enhanced its operational capability over the years and earned accolades for its valour and strike capabilities when deployed internally as well as abroad.
The presidential nominee of the United Progressive Alliance, Pranab Mukherjee is set to have a rewarding visit to Jammu and Kashmir on July 15.
During his visit, Mukherjee visited the hotbed of Madhesi protests Janakpur and met ex-servicemen of Gurkha regiments in Pokhra.
Members of Parliament on Sunday bid adieu to outgoing President Pranab Mukherjee.
President Pranab Mukherjee is deeply satisfied with his three-day visit to Mauritius, Saisuresh Sivaswamy reports.
For any government, achieving those goals would be a tall task, given the current resource constraint the government faces.
Speaking to the Indian community, he asked them to join the campaigns launched by Prime Minister Modi such as 'Digital India', 'Startup India, Stand up India', 'Clean India Mission', 'Smart Cities' etc.
'Rashtrapati Ji, it has been an honour to work with you, as your Prime Minister,' Modi said.
Bangladesh on Monday conferred its second highest award on President Pranab Mukherjee for his valuable contribution to the country's liberation war in 1971.
It will be a dream come true for Lt Commander Abhilash Tomy when President Pranab Mukherjee felicitates him in Mumbai on Saturday for completing a non-stop solo circumnavigation of the globe under sails in 150 days.
President Pranab Mukherjee has convened a three-day Governors conference from February 12 to articulate the stability of the Union Government, anticipating a hung Parliament in May 2014.
Mukherjee, who is in Port Louis on a three-day visit, said the Double Taxation Avoidance Convention cannot be seen in isolation, separate from the many strands that weave the tapestry of India-Mauritius relationship and efforts, and it should remain focused on realisation of the full potential of the bilateral ties.
The Indian government had in January 2010 launched VoA scheme to attract more foreign tourists to India.
A force that can be deployed any time to protect sovereignty of the country is essential for effective deterrence which is the cornerstone of country's defence policy, President Pranab Mukherjee said on Tuesday.
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