Srinagar: The demise of former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav is an irreparable loss to Indian politics, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Monday.
Political leaders across party lines also condoled the death of the Samajwadi Party founder, who died at a Gurugram hospital on Monday after prolonged illness.
“The death of former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav is an irreparable loss to Indian politics. My heartfelt tribute to him. May God give peace to the departed soul and strength to his family members. Om Shanti,” Sinha said in a tweet in Hindi.
Later, talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function here, the LG said he hopes that lakhs of Yadav’s supporters will follow the path of public service shown by him and contribute to fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Uttar Pradesh and the country.
Yadav, popularly known as ‘Netaji’, was hospitalised since August and was shifted to the Intensive Care Unit of the Medanta Hospital on October 02.
“SP leader Mulayam Singh Yadav was a great leader and his demise has left a huge void in Indian politics,” National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah said here on Monday.
NC vice-president Omar Abdullah said ‘Netaji’ was a towering personality.
“I join my father & all my colleagues in conveying our heartfelt condolences to @yadavakhilesh & his entire family. Neta ji was a towering personality & his contribution to UP & the rest of the country will not be forgotten. May his soul rest in peace,” Abdullah tweeted.
Democratic Azad Party (DAP) chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad said Yadav always stood for the upliftment of the poor.
“Saddened to hear about the demise of veteran leader Shri Mulayam Singh Yadavji, who always stood for the upliftment of the poor, downtrodden and minorities of his state. I have fond memories of my long association with him since 1987. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family,” he said in a tweet.
CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami said, “Mulayam Singh Yadav ji espoused the cause of downtrodden and fought relentlessly for the exploited and excluded. Deepest condolences @yadavakhilesh.”
Born on November 22, 1939 into a farming family in Saifai near Etawah in Uttar Pradesh, Yadav spawned the state’s most prominent political clan.
He was elected as an MLA 10 times and an MP, mostly from Mainpuri and Azamgarh, seven times.
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said “The country has lost a great leader who worked for the upliftment of the poor throughout his life. He will be remembered for not only providing protection to the Muslims (in his state) but also empowering them.”
She said Yadav was among a small group of leaders who stood against communal forces and did not surrender before them.
“He always stood by the minorities and deprived communities. We should learn lessons from his life as the way he worked for Hindu-Muslim brotherhood and stood against communal forces who have become powerful in the country,” the PDP leader said.
