Haryana, Punjab chief ministers mourn Mulayam Singh Yadav’s death

Describe demise of Samajwadi Party founder as an irreparable loss to the political field, while Akali leader Sukhbir Singh Badal expresses grief over socialist icon’s death

Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar and his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann on Monday expressed grief over the death of Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav and said his demise is an irreparable loss to the political field.

Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav passed away at the age of 82 at a Gurugram hospital on Monday. (PTI file photo)

Yadav, 82, a former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, died at a hospital in Gurugram on Monday after prolonged illness.

Both the chief ministers prayed for strength to the bereaved family and Yadav’s followers to bear the loss.

Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal also condoled Yadav’s death, saying the country has lost a doyen.

“The nation has lost a doyen in the passing away of Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav ji. A socialist icon, he will be known for empowering the under-privileged. My heartfelt condolences to @yadavakhilesh & the entire Samajwadi family,” Badal tweeted.

Former chief minister of Haryana and senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda also expressed grief over the death of Yadav.

Yadav hospitalised since August and was shifted to the intensive care unit of the Gurugram-based Medanta Hospital on October 2.

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 an MLA 10 times and an MP, mostly from Mainpuri and Azamgarh, seven times.