Pranab Mukherjee’s final speech as finance minister

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Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee resigned on Tuesday from his post to contest presidential elections.

Known for his razor-sharp intellect, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, a quintessential Congressman, is variously described as a walking encyclopaedia, chronicler of Congress history, expert in matters of the Constitution and governance and a stickler for rules in Parliament.

Mukherjee will contest the Presidential poll against former Lok Sabha speaker P A Sangma, who is backed by the Bharatiya Janata Party, the AIADMK and the Biju Janata Dal.

Here are the highlights of his final speech:

* Today I stand ready to embark upon a new journey, says Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on his last day in office.

* I have taken tough decisions in people's interest, says the outgoing Finance Minister.

* I will miss my colleagues in the Finance Ministry

*Standing at the brink of such an honour, I feel a tinge of sentiment