New Delhi: The last rites of Samajwadi Party founder and former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Mulayam Singh Yadav, who passed away on Monday at Medanta hospital in Gurugram, will take place at his ancestral home in village Saifai today.
Yadav was in critical condition and on life-saving drugs for the past several days at Gurugram's Medanta Hospital. He was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of the hospital on October 2 after his health deteriorated.
Several CMs along with the Speaker of Lok Sabha, Om Birla expected to attend the funeral, as reported by the news agency ANI. The news of Mulayam Singh's demise was announced by his son and Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav.
Mulayam Singh Yadav was one of the most prominent leaders of Uttar Pradesh who served as the Chief Minister of the state thrice and has also served in the Union Government as the Minister of Defence. He was elected 10 times as MLA and 7 times as Lok Sabha MP.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief on the demise of the SP supremo and termed him as a “remarkable personality.” PM Modi also said that Yadav was a key soldier for Indian democracy during the period of the Emergency.
"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," tweeted PM Modi.
"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," Prime Minister said in another tweet.
"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," the PM wrote.
(With Inputs from ANI)