The former President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, had tested positive for COVID-19 and was in a coma earlier in the month after having a brain operation has passed away at the age of 84.
His son Abhijit Mukherjee broke the news of his father's death over Twitter.
With a Heavy Heart , this is to inform you that my father Shri #PranabMukherjee has just passed away inspite of the best efforts of Doctors of RR Hospital & prayers ,duas & prarthanas from people throughout India !
— Abhijit Mukherjee (@ABHIJIT_LS) August 31, 2020
I thank all of You 🙏
There will be a state mourning for a week for the ex President.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first to share his condolences via Twitter, saying he was lucky to have Pranab Mukherjee's guidance since he took office.
As India’s President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee made Rashtrapati Bhavan even more accessible to common citizens. He made the President’s house a centre of learning, innovation, culture, science and literature. His wise counsel on key policy matters will never be forgotten by me.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 31, 2020
India grieves the passing away of Bharat Ratna Shri 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. pic.twitter.com/gz6rwQbxi6
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 31, 2020
Mukherjee was in 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.
Acording to doctors, his condition worsened with him developing a lung infection and a renal dysfunction over the past few days. Last week, the hospital said Mr Mukherjee's "renal parameters are slightly deranged".
In the past few weeks, there had been a ton of get well soon mesages from politicians as Mukherjee held the post of minister of finance, defence and external affairs in different governments until he became President.
Mr Mukherjee's presidential reign lasted for five years from 2012-2017.