"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.