President, FM mourn Rajmata’s death

Tribune News Service

Patiala, July 26

President Ram Nath Kovind and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today called up Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh to condole the death of the latter’s mother, Rajmata Mohinder Kaur.

The President expressed his heartfelt sympathies with Capt Amarinder, saying his thoughts and prayers were with the family in their hour of grief. Kovind recalled his stay with the family in Moti Bagh Palace during his visit to Patiala along with Morarji Desai in 1977. He remembered the pleasant hospitality offered to him by Rajmata during their palace stay.

Despite being close to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Rajmata had chosen to side with the old guard led by Morarji Desai when the Congress split after Emergency. She chose to join the Janata Party and was appointed its general secretary.

Capt Amarinder congratulated Kovind on being elected President.

Jaitley also expressed his deepest sympathies to the Chief Minister and other members of the family at the tragic loss.

Meanwhile, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Kirpal Singh Badungar also met Preneet Kaur here today and expressed condolences.