Was finance minister both times India won World Cup: Pranab

Finance Minister and Congress stalwart Pranab Mukherjee Sunday congratulated Team India for their magnificent win in the World Cup, noting it was an "accidental coincidence" that he was finance minister both the times India won the coveted trophy.

"I am not a good player. But as any other Indian I am proud of Team India for their brilliant win. I congratulate them. I feel specially proud about Team India's win because it is a accidental coincidence that during 1983 when Kapil Dev won the World Cup, I was the finance minister of the country then and now when again India has won the Cup, I am the finance minister of the country. It is an accidental coincidence," said Mukherjee while releasing the party manifesto for the April-May West Bengal assembly elections at the state Congress headquarters.

India defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium Saturday to win the World Cup for the second time, after a gap of 28 years.

Railway Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee Saturday congratulated Team India for their brilliant win and appealed to the union government to declare Monday (April 4) a national holiday in order to celebrate the win across the country.

Eeacting to Banerjee's appeal, Mukherjee said he had passed on the request to the government. "Let's wait for prime minister to act on the request," he said.