MPs to bid farewell to Pratibha Patil on July 23

NEW DELHI: Members of Parliament will bid farewell to President Pratibha Patil at a function in the historic Central Hall on July 23, a day before her term is set to expire.

Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar called on the President yesterday to extend an invitation to her. The outgoing President has consented to attend the programme, officials said.

Besides members of both the Houses, the function will be attended by Vice-President and Chairman of Rajya Sabha Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Lok Sabha Speaker.

The next President will be elected on July 22 and will assume office on July 25.