My father most suitable candidate for president's post: Abhijit Mukherjee

New Delhi, June 15 (IANS) Soon after the announcement of Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee as the United Progressive Alliance's (UPA) presidential candidate, his son Abhijit Mukherjee expressed happiness and said his father is the most suitable candidate.

He also thanked the UPA for naming Pranab as its presidential candidate.

"I'm grateful to UPA chairperson (Sonia Gandhi), Congress high command and all other constituents of the UPA for naming Shri Pranab Mukherjee as the presidential candidate. I hope he is one of the most suitable candidates," Mukherjee said.

"Keeping his background and acceptability across the party line, he must be a good candidate for the president's post," he told a TV channel.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi formally announced Pranab Mukherjee's name after a meeting of her party and its allies, saying he had to his credit a "long and distinguished record of public service for five decades".

She said he enjoyed broad support for holding the country's top post.

The UPA also appealed to all political parties, members of parliament and state assemblies to extend support for Mukherjee's candidature.

The presidential election will take place July 19.