'I was new to Delhi in 2014': PM Modi recalls how Pranab Mukherjee had guided and supported him years back

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday condoled the demise of former President Pranab Mukherjee, who passed away at the age of 84 on this day. While eulogizing Pranab Mukherjee's vast political career, Prime Minister Modi mentioned that he was new to Delhi in 2014, when he was first elected as the Prime Minister of India, however, Pranab Mukherjee, the then president, had guided and supported him to made him feel welcome.

"I was new to Delhi in 2014. From Day 1, I was blessed to have the guidance, support, and blessings of Shri Pranab Mukherjee. I will always cherish my interactions with him. Condolences to his family, friends, admirers, and supporters across India. Om Shanti," the Prime Minister wrote in a tweet on this day.

The Prime Minister also added subsequent tweets eulogising former president Pranab Mukherjee's political career that spanned decades, including his tenure as the President.

As India’s President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee made Rashtrapati Bhavan even more accessible to common citizens. He made the President’s house a centre of learning, innovation, culture, science and literature. His wise counsel on key policy matters will never be forgotten by me.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 31, 2020

India grieves the passing away of Bharat Ratna Shri Pranab Mukherjee. He has left an indelible mark on the development trajectory of our nation. A scholar par excellence, a towering statesman, he was admired across the political spectrum and by all sections of society. pic.twitter.com/gz6rwQbxi6

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 31, 2020

Former President of India Pranab Mukherjee passed away at the age of 84 after his medical condition declined on Monday morning and he suffered a septic shock due to lung infection, the Army's Research and Referral Hospital said.

In the last medical update on Saturday, the Army Hospital (Research & Referral), Delhi Cantonment, had said that the former president's renal parameters had improved but that he continued to remain in a deep coma and on ventilator support. It was reported today that former president Pranab Mukherjee has passed away.

Mukherjee, 84, was admitted to Army Research and Referral Hospital in Delhi Cantt for emergency surgery of brain clot. Later he also tested positive for COVID-19. 

He was admitted on August 10 after testing positive for COVID-19.

Pranab Mukherjee served as the 13th President of India from 2012 to 2017.

Before being elected as the President, Mukherjee served as the Union Finance Minister from 2009-2012 and a senior leader of the Congress.

He was also awarded India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, in 2019 by the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind.