Mamata condoles demise of Balram Jakhar

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today expressed grief at the death of veteran Congress leader and former Lok Sabha Speaker Balram Jakhar.

"Saddened at the passing of Balram Jakharji. In my first term as Member of Parliament, as the Speaker of Lok Sabha, he was always very encouraging," Banerjee said in a statement.

Jakhar passed away at his residence in New Delhi today at the age of 92.

Jakhar served as Deputy Minister Cooperation, Irrigation and Power in Punjab between 1973-77 and then as Leader of Opposition in the Assembly between 1977 and 1979.