Mulayam Singh Yadav, Samajwadi Party patriarch, dies at 82

Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav has died after a prolonged spell of illness. He was 82. The veteran leader - who was being treated at Gurugram's Medanta Hospital - had served as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. He had also served as India's defence minister.

Mulayam Singh Yadav was admitted to the Gurugram's Medanta Hospital on August 22. He had been tackling health issues over the last few years.

“My respected father has passed away,” SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, his son, was quoted as saying in a party statement. Tributes started pouring in soon after the news of his death broke.

“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,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote in his tweet.

The last rites of the veteran leader would be held at Saifai, his ancestral village in Uttar Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath - who described the death as “irreparable loss” - has said that the last rites of the seasoned politician will be held with full state honours. A three-day mourning has been declared in the state.