Is another son about to rise in politics. Union finance minister and veteran Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee’s son Abhijit Mukherjee may soon make his foray into state politics. Mr Mukherjee has two sons — Abhijit and Surajit — and a daughter. In a well-attended meeting at Nalhati town hall in Birbhum on Wednesday, the district Congress leaders made a strong pitch for his nomination from Nalhati constituency in the coming Assembly polls.
The Birbhum district Congress president Asit Mal said that it was an apolitical meeting. “It was the overwhelming opinion of the meeting that Mr Abhijit Mukherjee should contest from Nalhati Assembly constituency as Congress candidate. Speaker after speaker expressed the same desire. At the end of the meeting, I as district president also supported their opinion,” Mr Mal said over the phone.
The famed Mukherjee family is from Mirati in Kirnahar town in Birbhum district but the Union finance minister has been elected from Jangipur Lok Sabha constituency in Murshidabad. “The people of Birbhum feel that their loss has been Murshidabad’s gain. Therefore, they now want Abhijit to represent Nalhati in the state Assembly for the all round development of the Birbhum district,” he added.
Mr Abhijit Mukherjee, who was present in the meeting, refused to either accept or reject the demand of the Birbhum party leaders. “I do not know whether I will contest or not but I assure you that whenever you need me for development of the area you will find me here. Birbhum is close to my heart,” he added.
Pradesh Congress spokesperson Sukhendu Sekhar Roy endorsed the views expressed by the Birbhum district leaders. “I am happy at this development and wish that Abhijit carries on the great legacy of Pranab da,” he added.
Mukherjee Junior is a general manager in Steel Authority of India Limited ( SAIL ).
Since he is a government employee he has not been involved in active politics. “He prefers to keep a low profile. He is not a publicity-seeking person. Those who know him know that he is involved in several social work projects,” Mr Roy added.