Ending an era in Indian politics, Samajwadi Party founder and three-time Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav passed away at a Gurugram hospital on Monday after prolonged illness. Mulayam, who spawned the state’s most prominent political clan and played a key role on the national stage, died at the age of 82.
“My respected father and ‘Netaji’ to all is no more,” his son Akhilesh Yadav said in a tweet in Hindi on Monday morning.
Mualyam was admitted to Gurugram’s Medanta Hospital on 22 August and shifted to its Intensive Care Unit on 2 October. He had been quite critical for the last few days and was on life-saving drugs. The leader was being treated in the intensive care unit of a Gurugram hospital by a comprehensive team of specialists.
For a long time, Mulayam Singh Yadav, a veteran politician who saw Uttar Pradesh go through many ups and downs during his five-decade-long career, remained synonymous with the politics of the state. Often referred to as a politician whose ears were always close to the ground, Mulayam Singh’s career had been strewn with promises of building and breaking ties nonetheless.
In fact, he was so well-versed in the politics of the most populous state of India that he was fondly called “Netaji” by his admirers as well as his detractors. Born on 22 November 1939, in Saifai village of Etawah district, Mulayam Singh Yadav rose quickly in politics and became the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh thrice; he also served in the Union Government once as the Defence Minister. He was elected 10 times as MLA and 7 times as Lok Sabha MP. As long was his political career, a similar number of controversies surrounded it.
His was the story of a politician who almost became the Prime Minister of India.
In 1996, when the United Front was poised to form the government, Mulayam Singh’s name was floated to lead the alliance. It was opposed by leaders, including Lalu Prasad Yadav. He again saw an opportunity in 2014 but the election results dampened the possibility forever. People close to him said that the Samajwadi patriarch nursed a grievance that he could not become the Prime Minister of India despite being the chief minister of the most-populous state three times.
His career began when he was elected an MLA in 1967 at the age of 28. he founded the Samajwadi Party on 4 October 1992, and soon turned it into a regional party based in Uttar Pradesh. His son Akhilesh Yadav took over the reins of the party later and is now its president.
Condolences poured in from across the political spectrum and Uttar Pradesh’s BJP government announced a three-day mourning.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the demise of Samajwadi Patriarch. He said Yadav was a key soldier for Indian democracy during the period of the Emergency. “Mulayam Singh Yadav Ji distinguished himself in UP and national politics. He was a key soldier for democracy during the Emergency. As Defence Minister, he worked for a stronger India. His Parliamentary interventions were insightful and emphasised on furthering national interest,” tweeted PM Modi.
“I had many interactions with Mulayam Singh Yadav Ji when we served as Chief Ministers of our respective states. The close association continued and I always looked forward to hearing his views. His demise pains me. Condolences to his family and lakhs of supporters. Om Shanti,” Prime Minister said in another tweet.
The prime minister also attached several pictures of the late leader.
PM Modi termed Mulayam Singh Yadav as a “remarkable personality.”
“He was widely admired as a humble and grounded leader who was sensitive to people’s problems. He served people diligently and devoted his life towards popularising the ideals of Loknayak JP and Dr Lohia,” the PM wrote.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi said the voice of socialist ideas has fallen silent with the demise of Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav.
As the defence minister of the country and the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, the contribution of Mulayam Singh Yadav will remain unforgettable, Mrs. Gandhi said in her message. “More than that, his struggle for the oppressed and downtrodden will always be remembered,” she said.
Whenever there was a need to protect the constitutional values of the country, the Congress has always got his support, she added.
Veteran BJP leader LK Advani expressed deep grief on the demise of Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav and expressed condolences.
“I am deeply saddened to condole the passing away of Mulayam Singh Yadav, former Chief Minister and founder of the Samajwadi Party”, read the letter from the veteran leader. Recalling his association with the Samajwadi Party supremo, Advani wrote, “I recall my interaction with him during the Ram Janmabhoomi Movement. Although we were ideologically very different, the mutual respect we shared will be cherished by me”.