I feel like a fish out of water: Pranab

Bhubaneswar, Jul 11: UPA Presidential poll nominee

said he was feeling like a "fish out of water" for not having any particular identity at this juncture. "I am neither a

man nor a minister in the government. I have no identity today," the 77-year-old told Congress MLAs and leaders during his campaign in Odisha.

Mukherjee, who had spent five decades in politics, said he started his career as a small-time party activist helping senior leaders in West Bengal to enroll members. "I had been a Rajya Sabha member 43 years ago and a minister in Indira Gandhi's council of ministers 39 years ago. Besides, I have been a member of CWC for long," he said. But he had to resign as Finance Minister from CWC and other posts held by him due to the Presidential elections, he pointed out.

Recalling his childhood days, Mukherjee said he came from a remote village in West Bengal where he had to walk 10 kilometers a day to attend school. "There was nothing for us then. I remember the situation both during summer and rains," he said.

Mukherjee said his father was a freedom fighter who was jailed several times for participating in the freedom struggle and movements under the guidance of Mahatma Gandhi. Referring to the Food Security Bill, Mukherjee said he remembered the infamous Bengal famine while working on the Bill. "Fifty lakh people died of starvation in those days," he recalled.

PTI