NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in condoling the demise of Samajwadi Party patriach Mulayam Singh Yadav,
Stating that the deceased leader was widely admired as a humble and grounded leader who was sensitive to people's problems, the Prime Minister said, “Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav Ji was a remarkable personality. He was widely admired as a humble and grounded leader who was sensitive to people's problems.”
The 82-year-old Yadav passed away in Medanta hospital in Gurugram, where he was undergoing treatment.
He served people diligently and devoted his life towards popularising ideals of Jayaprakash Narayan and Ram Manohar Lohia, the prime minister said.
“Mulayam Singh Yadav Ji distinguished himself in UP and national politics. He was a key soldier for democracy during the Emergency,” the prime minister said in a series of tweets.
As defence minister, Yadav worked for a stronger India and his parliamentary interventions were insightful, Modi said.
President Droupadi Murmu termed the demise of Mulayam Singh Yadav as an irreparable loss to the country.
“'Dharti Putra' Mulayam ji was a veteran leader and was connected with the land. He was respected by people of all parties. My deepest condolences to his family members and supporters! Murmu tweeted in Hindi.
Mulayam Singh Yadav's bête noire and Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati called the Samajwadi Party founder's death saddening.
“The news of the death of the senior SP leader and former Chief Minister is saddening. I express my sympathies to the family members and well-wishers of the leader. May God give them strength to face the grief,” Mayawati said in a tweet in Hindi.
Earlier in a tweet in Hindi, Shah hailed the three time UP chief minister as a champion of democracy who raised his voice during the emergency.
“Mulayam Singh Yadav remained active in politics for decades with his unique political skills. During the Emergency, he raised his voice for the restoration of democracy.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said Yadav's unparalleled contribution to Indian politics as defence minister and chief minister of Uttar Pradesh will always be remembered. “My deepest condolences to Akhilesh Yadav and all other loved ones,” she said in a tweet in Hindi.
In his condolence message, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar recounted the long political journey of Yadav, who was the Defence Minister in the United Front government of 1990s, besides having served as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh thrice.
“He was a towering socialist leader who never compromised with the interests of the poor and the farmers”, said Kumar, who had met the ailing SP founder at the hospital where the latter was admitted during a visit to Delhi last month.
CPIM general secretary Sitaram Yechury in a tweet said, “The champion of the interests of the marginalised and backward, Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav ji steadfastly fought against religious bigotry at a crucial time for India, upholding the unity and integrity of India. Deepest condolences.
CPI leader Binoy Viswam also expressed grieve over Yadav's demise.
“Mulayam Singh Yadav ji will be remembered as an uncompromising fighter who stood like a rock in defence of secular India, he said.
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said Mulayam Singh Yadav worked for the welfare of the poor and weaker sections throughout his life.
Yadav, who joined politics inspired by great leaders like socialist ideologue Ram Manohar Lohia, served as the Chief Minister of the country's biggest state of Uttar Pradesh thrice and also as Union Minister, Rao said.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed deep sorrow over the demise of the former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.
He said the deceased leader had played an important role in national politics and was revered by marginalised sections and minorities.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal too expressed his grief on the death of Samajwadi Party founder.
“Received the sad news of demise of former Chief Minister of UP and Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav. May almighty rest his soul at his feet and give strength to his family and admirers to bear the loss,” Kejriwal said in a tweet.
