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United Progressive Alliance (UPA) nominee Pranab Mukherjee filed his nomination papers for the 2012 presidential election here on Thursday. Mukherjee, who filed four sets of nomination papers signed by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, resigned from the Union Cabinet on Tuesday. He filed his nomination papers at around 11 a.m. Congress general Secretary Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav were also present on the occasion along with other leaders of the ruling coalition. As many as 480 MPs and MLAs, including Union Ministers, Chief Ministers, Congress Legislature Party leaders and PCC chiefs are among the proposers and seconders of Mukherjee's nomination. The Prime Minister had on Tuesday expressed his government's gratitude to Pranab Mukherjee for his invaluable contribution to its work over the last eight years, and expressed hope of seeing him become India 's next President. "Our government owes a deep debt of gratitude to you for your invaluable contribution to its work over the last eight years. It is a testimony to your extraordinary abilities and your stature in public life that you have carried on onerous range of responsibilities with ease and accomplishment. Our colleagues in the Cabinet and I have benefitted from your wise counsel on innumerable occasions and we will all deeply miss your presence amidst us," said Dr. Singh in his letter to Mukherjee in response to his resignation tendered today. "We hope to see you occupy the exalted position of President next month and are confident that our country and people will continue to benefit from your wisdom, knowledge and decades of experience in public life. I wish you success in the election to the highest office in the country. I also wish you sustained good health and happiness in the years to come," he added. Pranab Mukherjee, who resigned as the Finance Minister, turned emotional saying he stands ready to embark on a new journey. Mukherjee, who is all set to emerge victorious in the race to Raisina Hill, further said every decision taken by him might not have been right, but it was taken in the best public interest. The resignation of 77-year-old Mukherjee brought an end to his distinguished 43-year-long political career. The presidential elections will be held on July 19. The vote count will take place on July 22. Pratibha Devisingh Patil's term as President ends on July 24.

Pranab Mukherjee files nomination for presidential poll