Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav passed away after a prolonged spell of illness. He was 82. The popular leader – who was being treated at Gurugram’s Medanta Hospital – had served as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. He had also served as India’s defence minister.
Mulayam Singh Yadav was admitted to the Gurugram’s Medanta Hospital on August 22. He had been tackling health issues over the last few years.
“My respected father has passed away,” SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, his son, was quoted as saying in a party statement. Tributes started pouring in soon after the news of his death broke.
UP will miss Mulayam Singh Yadav’s Politics
“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,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote in his tweet.
The last rites of the veteran leader Mulayam Singh Yadav would be held at Saifai, his ancestral village in Uttar Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath – who described the death as “irreparable loss” – has said that the last rites of the seasoned politician will be held with full state honours. A three-day mourning has been declared in the state.
UP assembly speaker Satish Mahana, condoling the death, said: “It’s a very sad moment. He was the land of the son. I had recently visited Medanta and met Akhilesh ji and came back with the impression that he was improving. It is a very sad moment.” “In politics, opposition is as important as ruling party. Mulayam Singh ji embodied great spirit and will be hugely missed,” Mahana said.
After the seasoned leader was shifted to the intensive care unit last week, Prime Minister Modi had taken an update from his son Akhilesh. Defence minister Rajnath Singh had also visited him at the hospital.
Mulayam Singh Yadav was fondly called as “Netaji” by his admirers. His death comes as the state of UP is set to hold its local body polls.
