Born on December 11, 1935 in West Bengal’s Mirati, Pranab Mukherjee was son to Rajlakshmi and Kamada Kinkar Mukherjee, who were actively involved in the freedom movement.
The former president completed his education in political science and law from the University of Calcutta. Mukherjee tried various professions including teaching and later worked as a journalist with ‘Desher Dak’, prior to entering politics.
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Here’s a timeline of the president who breathed his last on Monday, August 31.
1969
Indira Gandhi noticed Mukherjee’s talent after he successfully managed VK Krishna Menon’s campaign from the Midnapore by-election. He was elected as a member of the Rajya Sabha in July.
1973
Indira Gandhi appointed as union deputy minister of industrial development.
1975-77
He went on to become a close aide of Indira Gandhi. He was a part of Gandhi’s Cabinet and remained active through the emergency.
1977
After Congress lost the general elections, newly formed Janata government-appointed Shah Commission indicted Mukherjee; however, the commission was itself later indicted for stepping “outside its jurisdiction” in 1979.
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1979
Mukherjee became Deputy Leader of the INC in the Rajya Sabha
1980
He was appointed Leader of Rajya Sabha
1982 to 1984
He was given the post of finance minister in the post-emergency era.
After Indira Gandhi’s assassination, Mukherjee was sidelined from Congress
Mukherjee was sent to manage the regional West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee.
1986
Mukherjee founded Rashtriya Samajwadi Congress (RSC) in West Bengal. After three years, RSC and INC merged following a compromise with Rajiv Gandhi.
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1991
PV Narasimha Rao chose to appoint him as deputy chairman of the Indian planning commission and subsequently as a union cabinet minister.
1995 to 1996
Mukherjee served as external affairs minister
1998 to 1999
He was made General Secretary of the AICC
2000
Mukherjee was appointed as president of the West Bengal Congress
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2004
Mukherjee became leader of Lok Sabha
2009
He contested and won a Lok Sabha seat from Jangipur in West Bengal
2012
Mukherjee was elected as President of India.
