India’s former President, Pranab Mukherjee dies weeks after surgery

NEW DELHI — Pranab Mukherjee, the elder statesman of Indian politics, has died at the age of 84. The former President of India, who had tested positive for coronavirus, had been in coma after a brain surgery earlier this month.

“With a heavy heart, this is to inform you that my father Shri Pranab Mukherjee has just passed away in spite of the best efforts of doctors of RR Hospital and prayers, duas and prarthanas from people throughout India! I thank all of you,” his son, Abhijit Mukherjee tweeted.

The Centre has announced seven days of State mourning for the former President.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tribute, saying he was blessed to have Pranab Mukherjee’s guidance since he took office.

“India grieves the passing away of Bharat Ratna 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,” the PM said in one of his tweets.

This morning, the Army hospital in Delhi had reported a decline in the former President’s condition. He had gone into septic shock due to his lung infection, the Army’s Research and Referral Hospital had said.

Mr Mukherjee was admitted to hospital on August 10 and had surgery the same day for the removal of a clot in the brain. He had tested positive for COVID-19 in hospital.

He developed a lung infection and a renal dysfunction over the past few days, according to doctors.

Last week, the hospital said Mr Mukherjee’s “renal parameters are slightly deranged”.

Mr Mukherjee was President of India from 2012 to 2017.