Fondly remembered as Netaji, Shri. Mulayam Singh Yadav passed away yesterday morning, leaving a deep vent into the hearts of thousands of supporters across the country. Popularly called a leader of the oppressed classes, Netaji made a distinguished name among the masses. Hailing from 'Saifai' in Uttar Pradesh, he added many feathers to his political cap and got nationwide applause throughout his political career.
Samajwadi Party (SP), the strongest opposition in the largest state of India, Uttar Pradesh (by population) sailed well under his leadership for decades. Aging, Netaji (the founder of the party) passed the throne and handed over the keys of the lavish empire to his son Akhilesh Yadav, but the respect and popularity for him didn't fade. BJP has been the arch-rival of the SP for a long and has given enough nightmares to them. Yogi Adityanath and the BJP have used their prowess in political prudence to rule the Chief Minister's office for more than four years now and probably for many more years to come.
Despite being political opponents for years, and actually sullying each other's image at the time of elections; the unfortunate demise of Netaji brought some heartwarming stills. Leaders across the length and breadth of the country - from the opposition parties and the starkly opposite ideologies have registered their presence in the last rites. From the Prime Minister of India to the cabinet ministers, to Chief Ministers from various states, to a few industrialists and even Bollywood stars - all have added their names to the list of VVIPs attending the funeral and paying respect (in online/offline mode).
In the pictures above, Keshav Prasad Maurya (deputy-CM of UP), and Rajnath Singh (the Defence Minister of India) console the deceased's son Akhilesh Yadav (President of the SP) cools down the political flare and give a strong message that 'politics is temporary, but the relations are permanent.
May Netaji's soul rest in peace.