Veteran Congress leader Balram Jakhar passes away

New Delhi, Feb 3: Veteran Congress leader and former Lok Sabha Speaker Balram Jakhar passed away here today. 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.

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.

PTI