'End of an Era': Leaders Across Nation Recall 'True Warrior' Mulayam Singh Yadav’s Contribution to Grassroots Politics

Samajwadi Party (SP) founder Mulayam Singh Yadav died on Monday in Medanta hospital in Gurugram, where he was undergoing treatment. “Mere adarniya pitaji aur sabke netaji nahi rahe – Akhilesh Yadav,” the SP tweeted from its Twitter handle.

Condolences have been pouring in over the passing away of Mulayam, 82, who was admitted in the hospital since August and was shifted in ICU on October 2 and had been on lifesaving drugs since.

President Droupadi Murmu termed the demise of Mulayam on Monday an irreparable loss to the country. She said the achievements of Mulayam Singh Yadav, who came from an ordinary environment, were extraordinary.

“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 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.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered Mulayam as a widely admired as a humble and grounded leader who was sensitive to people’s problems.

“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. He served people diligently and devoted his life towards popularising the ideals of Loknayak JP and Dr. Lohia,” he said in a tweet.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday mourned the death of the founder of Samajwadi Party and veteran leader Mulayam Singh Yadav and also called former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav to convey his condolences.

“The death of former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and Samajwadi Party Founder Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav ji is extremely sad. With his death, the main pillar of socialism and ‘an era of struggle’ have come to an end,” the CM said in a tweet.

“I wish peace to the departed soul and send my condolences to the bereaved family and supporters”, he added. In addition, the CM declared a three-day period of state mourning in honour of Mulayam Singh Yadav. “Full state honours will be accorded to his final rites,” he said.

Former prime minister Manmohan Singh in his condolence message said Mulayam Singh Yadav was a great Parliamentarian and a distinguished administrator who devoted his whole life to the service of the poor and other backward communities.

Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi expressed pain over the demise of Mulayam Singh Yadav. “As the Defense Minister of the country & CM of UP, the contribution of Mulayam Singh will always be unforgettable,” she wrote in Hindi.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said despite having opposing political views the both of them would talk about many subjects with a very open mind.

“Despite being hostile in politics, Mulayam Singh ji had the best relations. Whenever he met him, he would talk about many subjects with a very open mind. Interactions with him on many occasions will always be fresh in my memory. My condolences to his family and supporters in this hour of grief.”

Former prime minister and JD(S) chief H D Deve Gowda also expressed grief on demise of Mulayam Singh Yadav, and said, “He was deeply committed to the secular and socialist political traditions.”

Telangana Rashtra Samithi working president K T Rama Rao took to Twitter to express his heartfelt condolences to Akhilesh Yadav and his family. He described the passing away of Mulayam as “end of an era in Indian politics.”

“My wholehearted condolences to Sri @yadavakhilesh Ji and the entire family of Sri Mulayam Ji. Rest in peace Neta Ji. This is truly end of an era in Indian politics & my prayers for strength to all Samajwadi Party leaders/loyalists,” his tweet said.

Jammu & Kashmir National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah, speaking to CNN-News18, said it’s a sad day. He described Mulayam as a great leader of the country, a strength of pillar, and a man who had no enemies only friends.

Abdullah said Mulayam was “a very humble man…on all positions of leadership.”

Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mayawati condoled Mulayam’s death on Twitter. “Very sad news of the passing away of veteran Samajwadi Party leader and former Chief Minister of UP Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav ji today. My deepest condolences to his family and all well wishers. May nature give them all the strength to bear this sorrow,” she tweeted in Hindi.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday expressed his grief over the SP founder’s death. “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.

Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao expressed deep shock and grief over the death of SP founder and former UP Chief Minister Yadav. The CM said that Mulayam Singh Yadav, a secularist, came into politics with the inspiration of great leaders like famous socialist leaders Ram Manohar Lohia and famous freedom fighters Raj Narayan.

KCR recalled that Mulayam, who served as the Chief Minister for three times to the biggest State Uttar Pradesh and Union Minister, worked for the welfare of the poor and weaker sections throughout his life. KCR conveyed his deepest condolences to Mulayam Singh Yadav’s son Akhilesh Yadav and family members.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah remembered Mulayam Singh Yadav’s contribution to the Indian politics and said he raised his voice for the restoration of democracy during emergency. He also expressed condolences and grief to his family.

“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 mass leader. His death marks the end of an era in Indian politics,” he said in a tweet in Hindi.

BJP President JP Nadda said also expressed his grief and said, “Veteran politician Mulayam Singh Yadav is no more between us. He always used to work for the people and was very popular among the public. I express my deepest condolences to his family and supporters.”

Congress leader Adhir Choudhury also took to Twitter to express his grief. “Extremely sad of the demise of respected leader #MulayamSingh ji, A great political stalwart, an ardent follower of socialism. May god posit his soul in peace and tranquility,” he said.

BJP leader and former deputy prime minister L K Advani in his condolence message said, Mulayam Singh’s demise has left a huge void in the political arena. “His dynamic persona will continue to inspire many generations of Indians. Congress president Sonia Gandhi: The voice of socialist ideas has fallen silent with the demise of Mulayam Singh Yadav,” said Advani.

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and Democratic Azad Party leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said he was “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.

The office of Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor tweeted 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 rest the departed soul and give strength to the family members. peace,” the tweet also said.

Union Minister Kishan Reddy said he was saddened by the demise of Yadav. “My deepest condolences to the bereaved family members & followers. In this hour of grief, my thoughts and prayers are with them. Om Shanti,” Reddy tweeted.

Jammu & Kashmir leader and People’s Democratic Party Chief Mehbooba Mufti told CNN-News18 Mulayam Singh Yadav always worked for protection of minorities and even empower them. She said he was among few who always fought against communal forces and tried to stop them. “We should also learn from him and fight against communal forces. Mulayam Singh Yadav was a tall leader who worked with Mufti saab. He was a secular leader,” Mehbooba Mufti said.

External Affairs Minister expressed his grief on Twitter. “Deeply grieved at the passing away of Shri Mulayam Singh ji. A deep nationalist, he will be remembered for his many contributions towards a stronger India. May God give strength to his family to bear this irreparable loss. Om Shanti,” he said.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi described Mulayam as a “warrior” in his condolence message on Twitter. “The death of Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav ji is very sad news. He was a true warrior associated with grassroots politics. I express my deepest condolences to all the bereaved family members including Shri Akhilesh Yadav,” Gandhi’s tweet said.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinaryi Vijayan said in a tweet, “Deeply saddened by the passing of @samajwadiparty founder Mulayam Singh Yadav ji, India’s former Defence Minister and 3 time UP CM. He always stood by secular ideals and fought for social justice. Heartfelt condolences to @yadavakhilesh ji, family, friends and supporters.”

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday expressed grief over the death of SP supremo and three-time chief minister of Uttar Pradesh Mulayam Singh Yadav and lauded his role in the development of UP. Shinde in his condolence message on Twitter said, “My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family of late Mulayam Singh Yadav. He played a vital role in the development of Uttar Pradesh.”

Veteran BJP leader M M Joshi said, “In the politics of North India, Mulayam Singh Yadav had an important place. He was one of the strongest voices for the ideology of Lohia Samajwadi. He courageously stood with farmers, labourers & gave such leadership in which people had faith.”

“Mulayam Singh Yadav spent his life as a public servant and in service of the country and his demise is a loss for the whole nation, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said here on Monday. Today, we have received a very sad news of passing away of Mulayam Singh ji who served as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh as well as the Union Defence Minister. He had a long history of public service, ” Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia told reporters on the sidelines of a function at SKICC in Srinagar.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also condoled Yadav’s demise and tweeted, “My heartfelt condolences on the demise of the founder and patron of the Samajwadi Party. The contribution of former Union Minister and former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Mulayam Singh Yadav as a seasoned politician was immense.” “May his family find strength to bear this loss. May the departed soul rest in peace,” he further said.

Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar in his condolence message said Mulayam Singh was a towering socialist leader who never compromised with the interests of the poor and the farmers.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also condoled Yadav’s demise and said, he always stood by secular ideals and fought for social justice.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M K Stalin described Yadav as one of the tallest figures in Indian politics who stood for reservation for the OBC. “Mulayam Singh was deeply committed to secular ideals,” he said.

PDP chief and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti expressed grief over passing away of Mulayam Singh and said, he always stood by the minorities and deprived communities. “We should learn lessons from his life…. He worked for Hindu-Muslim brotherhood and stood against communal forces who have become powerful in the country,” she said.

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury 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.”

CPI general secretary D Raja also consoled Yadav’s demise and said, he was an able proponent of social justice and defender of minority rights. Country lost a tall leader of the marginalised at a crucial hour.

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