Veteran politician, founder of the Samajwadi party and three-time Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Mulayam Singh Yadav passed away this morning. He was 82. He was in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Medanta Hospital in Gurugram for the last few days. He was hospitalized last week due to illness. His condition was critical and he was on life-saving drugs. He breathed his last in the early hours of Monday.
Mulayam was one of the most influential politicians in Uttar Pradesh and also on the national front. He was fondly called as the ‘Netaji’ by his party members and leaders. Mulayam was also a wrestler. He entered politics in the late 1960s.
He first became the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh in 1989 and served till 1991. In 1993, he became the Chief Minister for the second time. He served till 1995. In 1996, he became the Defence Minister in the United Front government. In 2003, he became the CM of Up for the third time and served till 2007. He also served as a Member of Parliament five times. Even at the time of his death, he was the MP for the Manipuri constituency.
Various political leaders and fans are paying their last respects to Mulayam. Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “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. 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.”
