Relying on Pranab Mukherjee’s visionary advice, guidance: Manmohan Singh

Paying tributes to former President Pranab Mukherjee on his first death anniversary, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday said he relies heavily on his wise advice and guidance on various issues. Singh said that Mukherjee had a long and illustrious political career of over five decades, during which he held several important portfolios in several ministries of the Government of India.

He also described him as one of the most eminent leaders of the Congress party. “In all the positions he held, he brought his vast knowledge, in-depth knowledge, vast life experience and leadership skills to lead important decisions of the government on various issues,” Singh said.

Singh attended the first annual Pranab Mukherjee Memorial Lecture organized by the Pranab Mukherjee Legacy Foundation to mark his first death anniversary. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu delivered the Commemorative Lecture.

Singh said that during his tenure as Prime Minister, Mukherjee was the Minister of Defence, External Affairs and Finance before being elevated to the prestigious post of President. “I worked very closely with him and I depended heavily on him for his astute advice and guidance on various issues,” the former prime minister said.