Manmohan Singh appreciates Pranab Mukherjee's contribution to the UPA

NEW DELHI: Former Finance Minister and government's chief troubleshooter Pranab Mukherjee's contribution to the UPA was appreciated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Cabinet at its first meeting yesterday after he quit the post to contest the Presidential poll.

"The Prime Minister when he began the Cabinet meeting expressed his appreciation for the enormous contribution made by Pranab Mukherjee," Home Minister P Chidambaram said.

Soon after Singh had spoken a resolution was moved thanking Mukherjee for this efforts.

"A brief resolution was adopted appreciating the services he has rendered to the government of India over the last so many years and it was adopted by acclamation," Chidambaram said.

Mukherjee, who headed a record number of EGOMs and GOMs and was called upon to handle almost every crisis facing the government, resigned as Finance Minister on June 26.

He is the government nominee for the presidential election.