CM KCR grieves Pranab Mukherjee's demise

Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao expressed shock over the sudden demise of former President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday. He felt that the demise of Pranab Mukherjee was a great loss and paid tributes to the former President in his personal capacity and also on behalf of the people of Telangana State.

He also expressed heartfelt condolences to the family members of the former President. He said the doctors made efforts to save Pranab Mukherjee who has been ill for some time now, but in vain.

In a statement, the Chief Minister recalled the role of Pranab Mukherjee in formation of the Telangana State. He reminded that Pranab Mukherjee as a Union Minister led the committee formed by the UPA government for the formation of Telangana State and finally signed the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill as the President of India paving way for the formation of Telangana state.

“He (Pranab Mukherjee) always felt that the demand



for Telangana State was just and made many valuable suggestions every time I met him during the (separate statehood) movement,” he said. He said the former President visited the Yadadri temple during his visit to Hyderabad and appreciated the work being done there.

Chandrashekhar Rao also remembered his long association with the former President who congratulated him upon achieving Telangana State. Pranab Mukherjee appreciated Chandrashekhar Rao and stated that it was rare for a leader to start a movement and have the opportunity to fulfill its goals.

In his book ‘The Coalition Years: 1996-2012’, Pranab Mukherjee made a special mention about the Chief Minister as the then separate Telangana movement leader. He stated that achieving separate Telangana State was the only ambition for Chandrashekhar Rao who was least interested in the portfolio offered to him as the Union Minister.