New Delhi: Veteran Congress leader and former Lok Sabha Speaker Balram Jakhar passed away here on Wednesday. He was 92.
Condoling his death, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was a popular leader who enriched Parliamentary democracy. "Balram Jakhar ji was a popular leader who enriched our Parliamentary democracy in his long political journey. Saddened by his demise. RIP," he tweeted.
Balram Jakhar ji was a popular leader who enriched our Parliamentary democracy in his long political journey. Saddened by his demise. RIP.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 3, 2016
Jakhar served as Speaker of Lok Sabha from 1980 to 1989 during which he contributed to the establishment of Parliament Museum.
He also served as Agriculture Minister in the Cabinet of former Prime Minister Narasimha Rao. Jakhar also served as Governor of Madhya Pradesh from June 30, 2004 to May 30, 2009.
Congress Party president Sonia Gandhi and other leaders paid homage to former Madhya Pradesh Governor.
"Be it as a legislator, parliamentarian, minister, speaker or governor, Dr. Jakhar forever remained at the forefront in taking up issues concerning agriculture and farmers and his role in modernising the parliament secretariat was pioneering," said Sonia Gandhi.
Party vice-president Rahul Gandhi said, "Extremely saddened by the passing away of veteran Congress leader Dr Balram Jakharji.In his passing, the Congress Party has lost a stalwart. His immense contribution to the nation in his long political career as parliamentarian,union minister & governor will always be remembered," he said in a series of tweets.
Extremely saddened by the passing away of veteran Congress leader Dr Balram Jakharji.In his passing Congress Party has lost a stalwart (1/2)
— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) February 3, 2016
His immense contribution to the nation in his long political career as Parliamentarian,Union Minister&Governor will always be remembered(2/2
— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) February 3, 2016
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, "The demise of former Governor of Madhya Pradesh and senior leader Dr. Balram Jakhar is an irreparable loss. We have lost a messiah for farmers and a true statesman. Dr. Jakhar, in his long public career has always fulfilled the highest values of democracy. His tenure as governor will be unforgettable," he wrote in a series of tweets.
