Former Bihar Chief Minister and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav on Monday condoled the demise of Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav, remembering him as a stalwart of the socialist movement.
“I am saddened by the news of the demise of Samajwadi patron and respected Mulayam Singh ji. His contribution was incomparable in the politics of the country,” Lalu said in a tweet. Remembering Yadav as a politician who brought the underprivileged to the front line, Lalu said his memories would stay forever.
Later, talking to reporters, he said, “Mulayam Singh Yadav had an important contribution to taking forward the socialist movement.”
“Pray to God to give place to the departed soul at his feet. Humble tributes,” Lalu added.
On Wednesday, the RJD chief went to meet Mulayam Singh at the hospital in Gurugram.
The veteran Samajwadi Party leader passed away while undergoing treatment at the Medanta Hospital at the age of 82 due to a prolonged illness. His condition had been critical for the past few weeks, and he was on life-saving drugs.
Mulayam Singh’s son, Akhilesh Yadav, confirmed his death on Twitter. “Mere adarniya pitaji aur sabke netaji nahi rahe-Akhilesh Yadav (My honourable father and everyone’s Netaji is no more),” he tweeted from the party’s official handle.
Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari remembered Mulayam Singh as a stalwart in UP politics.
“Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav was a stalwart in the politics of the nation, and especially in that of Uttar Pradesh. He had a strong grip on politics because of his wider public relations and organisational skills. A good parliamentarian, Mulayam Singh created his own mark as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and as Defence Minister of the country. I had the privilege of knowing Mulayam Singh ji intimately even before I became a member of the UP Legislative Council,” Koshyari said.
Koshyari said with Mulayam Singh’s death, a major chapter in UP politics has come to an end. “I pay my homage to the departed leader and convey my deepest condolences to Shri Akhilesh Yadav and other members of the bereaved family,” he added.
Emerging as a socialist leader, Mulayam Singh soon established himself as an OBC stalwart, capturing a swathe of political space vacated by the Congress. He took oath as UP’s 15th CM in 1989, which marked the year when the Congress was voted out, failing to return to power in the state ever since.
DROUPADI MURMU PRESIDENT OF INDIA
“The death of Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav is an irreparable loss to the country. The achievements of Mulayam Singh Yadav ji, who came from an ordinary environment, were extraordinary. ‘Dharti Putra’ Mulayam ji was a down-to-earth veteran leader. He was respected by people of all parties. My deepest condolences to his family members and supporters!”
KIREN RIJIJU
UNION LAW AND JUSTICE MINISTER
“Very saddened by the sad demise of Samajwadi Party patriarch and former CM of UP Sh #MulayamSinghYadav ji. He was a mass grassroot leader. Extending my deepest condolences to his family. I pray for his departed soul. Om Shanti.”
JAIRAM RAMESH
“Mulayam Singh Yadav was a stalwart Lohiaite but had admirers across political spectrum. His tenures as CM of UP were very consequential. He played a key national role on 2 occasions: Deve Gowda & Gujral govts as Defence Min,& in 2002 when he proposed APJ Abdul Kalam for President.”
ASHOK GEHLOT
CHIEF MINISTER, RAJASTHAN
“My heartfelt condolences on demise of founder-patron of @samajwadiparty, former central minister and former CM of UP, Sh #MulayamSinghYadav ji. As a veteran politician, his contribution was immense. May his family find the strength to bear this loss. May the departed soul rest in peace.”
NITISH KUMAR
CHIEF MINISTER, BIHAR
“His death is an irreparable loss to the nation. He was a great socialist leader. He was also the Defense Minister of the country. He was one of the effective voices fighting for the rights of the poor. His important contribution to the development of Uttar Pradesh and the country will always be remembered. We had a personal attachment to him. His death deeply saddens me. May God rest his soul and give strength to his family to bear patience.”
K CHANDRASHEKAR RAO
CHIEF MINISTER, TELANGANA
“Shri Mulayam Singh had joined politics inspired by great socialist leader Shri Ram Manohar Lohia and freedom fighter Sri Raj Narayan. He strived for the welfare of the poor and downtrodden as the three-time Chief Minister of India’s most populated State, UP and as Union Cabinet Minister.”
AMIT SHAH, UNION HOME MINISTER
Mulayam Singh Yadav ji remained active in politics for decades with his unique political skills. During the Emergency, he raised his voice for the restoration of democracy. He will always be remembered as a grassroots leader. His death marks the end of an era in Indian politics. I express my condolences to his family and supporters in this hour of grief.
YOGI ADITYANATH, CHIEF MINISTER, UP
“The death of former UP Chief Minister Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav ji is extremely sad. His death has ended a prominent pillar of socialism and an era of struggle. I pray to God for peace to the departed soul and my condolences to the bereaved family and supporters.”
RAJNATH SINGH, UNION DEFENCE MINISTER
“Despite being hostile in politics, Mulayam Singh ji had the best relations with everyone. He used to talk with an open heart on different subjects. My interactions with him on various occasions shall always remain fresh in my memory. My condolences to his family and supporters in this hour of grief.”
