'It is a great moment in Baba's life'

Abhijit Mukherjee is a proud man. By the time of filing this report, his father, United Progressive Alliance-nominated candidate Pranab Mukherjee, was leading the Presidential election with 438,502 votes against the Opposition-backed P A Sangma.

Rediff.com caught up with Pranab Mukherjee's son, a Congress Member of Legislative Assembly who won from Birbhum's Nalhati constituency, over the phone on Sunday afternoon.

Here is what he had to say:

"I am elated. My father is going to adorn the President's chair!

The feeling is yet to sink in.

It is a stupendous emotion! He has done me, my family, proud. Bengalis across the globe are bubbling with happiness. India is all set to get its first Bengali President.

Ever since Baba's name was announced as the Presidential candidate, ugly politics raised its vicious head from every nook and corner. That did hurt me and I am sure it must have hurt my father as well. But those days are gone. On such an auspicious day, I don't want to dig up those unpleasant memories.

Now, it's just a matter of time before the final announcement is made. Wish I were in New Delhi at this moment to take part in the celebration. But unfortunately, I am stuck in Kolkata for some official work. However, I have made plans to reach Delhi before the swearing-in to be held on July 25. When the entire family gets together, we will plan out how to make the most of this memorable occasion.

It's a great moment in Baba's life. He dedicated his entire life to politics. Today, his long career reached the pinnacle.

Once Baba is sworn in, he won't be able to visit his south Kolkata residence because of security reasons.

People in and around our ancestral home at Miriti in Birbhum district are busy immortalising this day. They have every right to do so. Despite his overtly busy schedule, Baba never lost touch with his roots. And now, people of his native land are expressing their gratitude to him their way.

I must mention that even at this wonderful moment, my feet are anchored firmly to the ground. I remain the same, simple individual. For, humility is a virtue that Baba stood for all his life. I too want to tread the path laid down by him. After all, it's he who inspired me to join politics".

As told to Indrani Roy