Pranab Mukherjee's son joins Congress

As West Bengal gears up for the April-May Assembly polls, Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee's son Abhijit Mukherjee on Monday joined the Congress and is likely to be fielded as the party's candidate for the coming election.

"I had been contemplating joining Congress for a long time and I think this is the right time for taking the decision," said Abhijit.

"I will abide by what my party will ask me to do. As a true soldier of the party, I will follow that," he added, when asked to comment on his political career. Abhijit further said that he had taken advice from his father prior to joining active politics.

Abhijit, who worked earlier as SAIL's general manager (personnel-corporate social responsibility), tendered his resignation on March 9.

West Bengal faces state polls along with Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and the Union Territory of Pondicherry.

The state will have elections in six phases. The first phase of voting will take place on April 18, second phase on April 23, third phase on April 27, fourth phase on May 3, fifth phase on May 7 and sixth phase on May 10.