The founder of the Samajwadi Party and three-time chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, Mulayam Singh Yadav, passed away this morning. He was 82.
Despite being unable to participate in national politics for the past few years due to illness, he was seen as a crucial part of the opposition.
Mr. Yadav, who was affectionately referred to as “Netaji” by Samajwadi Party members and leaders, had also served as the nation’s defence minister.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, when demonstrations and agitations over the Mandal Commission, which was established to identify India’s socially or educationally backward sections, were at their height, the former wrestler made headlines in UP politics.
Later, Mr. Yadav developed a reputation for forming alliances with both his friends and opponents. His collaboration with Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Mayawati for a transient alliance government in Uttar Pradesh is a prime example.
Mr. Yadav’s experience with central authority was eventful, and he also became a significant political force in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
He was appointed Defense Minister in the United Front administration in 1996. Despite originally assuring Congress leader Sonia Gandhi of the backing of his party, Mr. Yadav ultimately opted not to support her in 1999 following the fall of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee administration at the national level.When the Samajwadi Party won back control of Uttar Pradesh in 2012, an ill Mulayam Singh Yadav handed the reins to his son Akhilesh. However, when family divisions grew, he startled everyone in 2016 when he dismissed Akhilesh from the party, just before the pivotal UP assembly elections in 2017. After the father and son reconciled, Akhilesh became the Samajwadi Party’s power centre.
