Mamata mourns death of the former President

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamamata Banerjee Monday expressed deep sorrow over the death of former president Pranab Mukherjee and said with his demise "an era has come to an end".

She recollected her long association with Mukherjee and extended her condolence to his son and daughter.

"It is with deep sorrow I write this. Bharat Ratna Pranab Mukherjee has left us. An era has ended. For decades he was a father figure. From my first win as MP, to being my senior Cabinet colleague, to his becoming President while I was CM," Banerjee said in a statement released from the state secretariat. "So many memories. A visit to Delhi without Pranabda is unimaginable. He is a legend in all subjects from politics to economics. Will be forever grateful. Shall miss him immensely. My condolences to Abhijit & Sharmistha," she added. 84-year-old Mukherjee passed away at the Army RR Hospital in Delhi this evening.

Meanwhile, Mourning the passing away of Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Dr. Sanjiv Goenka says a big banyan tree of Indian democracy is no more. All I can do is to join my countrymen to mourn the loss of a great statesman who from a village boy became a teacher and then moved forward non-stop to create history as a great legislator and an outstanding administrator. My father was one of his admirers and I continue to follow his footstep.