Former Union minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Sharad Yadav breathed his last on January 12. He was 75.
The former Union minister’s health was deteriorating and he was admitted to Gurugram’s Fortis hospital, where he passed away.
According to reports, Sharad Yadav was brought to the emergency ward in an “unconscious and unresponsive state”. “He did not have any pulse or recordable blood pressure,” reports said.
Despite the best efforts, Yadav could not be revived. He was declared dead at 10.19 pm on Thursday.
Confirming the news, Yadav’s daughter Subhashini Sharad Yadav tweeted, “Papa nahi rahe (Papa is no more).”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was one of the first to express condolences on the demise of the veteran leader.
“Pained by the passing away of Shri Sharad Yadav Ji. In his long years in public life, he distinguished himself as MP and Minister. He was greatly inspired by Dr. Lohia’s ideals,” PM Modi tweeted.
“I will always cherish our interactions. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti,” he added.
Pained by the passing away of Shri Sharad Yadav Ji. In his long years in public life, he distinguished himself as MP and Minister. He was greatly inspired by Dr. Lohia’s ideals. I will always cherish our interactions. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 12, 2023
During his long political career, Yadav held important positions. Between 1999 and 2004, Yadav held portfolios as Union minister of civil aviation and as Union minister of consumer affairs, food and public distribution in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.
Saddened to know about the passing away of former Union Minister Shri Sharad Yadav. A student leader of seventies who fought for democratic values, Sharad ji was an important national voice of the dispossessed in Parliament. My deepest condolences to his family and admirers.
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) January 12, 2023
In 2003, Yadav became the president of Janata Dal-United (JDU). He and Bihar Chief minister Nitish Kumar shared a warm relationship. Kumar also helped Yadav get a Rajya Sabha seat following his defeat in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections.
वरिष्ठ राजनेता, पूर्व सांसद शरद यादव जी के निधन पर शोक व्यक्त करता हूं। वे विलक्षण प्रतिभा वाले महान समाजवादी नेता थे जिन्होंने वंचितों–शोषितों के दर्द को दूर करने के लिए अपना जीवन समर्पित कर दिया। उनका निधन समाजवादी आंदोलन के लिए बड़ी क्षति है। परिजनों के प्रति मेरी संवेदनाएं।
— Om Birla (@ombirlakota) January 12, 2023
However, their relations soured following JD(U)’s poor showing in the 2014 general elections. However, the death knell to their relationship came in 2017, when Kumar decided to align with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
देश की समाजवादी धारा के वरिष्ठ नेता, जेडीयू के पूर्व अध्यक्ष, श्री शरद यादव जी के निधन से दुःखी हूँ।
एक पूर्व केंद्रीय मंत्री व दशकों तक एक उत्कृष्ट सांसद के तौर पर देश सेवा का कार्य कर,उन्होंने समानता की राजनीति को मज़बूत किया।
उनके परिवार एवं समर्थकों को मेरी गहरी संवेदनाएँ।
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) January 12, 2023
Sharad Yadav refused to follow his former follower and JD (U) sought Yadav’s expulsion from Rajya Sabha. Yadav parted ways with the JD (U) and went on to form the Loktantrik Janata Dal (LJD) in 2018.
I bear a heavy heart upon hearing about Shri Sharad Yadav’s demise.
A stalwart politician and an immensely respected colleague, his legacy shall live on.
I pray that his family and followers find solace and strength in this hour of grief.
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) January 12, 2023
Four years later, Yadav merged his party with Lalu Prasad Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal in an effort to unite various offshoots of the erstwhile Janata Dal.
आदरणीय अभिभावक शरद यादव जी को अश्रुपूर्ण भावभीनी श्रद्धांजलि। शत्-शत् नमन। pic.twitter.com/n1lDGQoFQ3
— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) January 12, 2023
Pained to learn about the passing away of former Union minister & socialist leader Sharad Yadav Ji. My heartfelt condolences to his family members & millions of his followers. Sharad ji always championed the cause of underprivileged & oppressed sections of the society.#RIP pic.twitter.com/XwXTecTUV5
— Sukhbir Singh Badal (@officeofssbadal) January 12, 2023
Shattered to learn about the passing of Sharad Yadav Ji. One of the leading figures to have emerged from Lok Nayak Sri Jayaprakash Narayan’s stream of socialism, he was a remarkable leader, ever humble and ever rooted to the ground.(1/2) pic.twitter.com/PtWfSIEiO1
— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) January 12, 2023
Anguished to know that former Union Minister and senior leader Shri Sharad Yadav Ji has passed away. He was a tall leader who could easily connect with people. My deepest condolences to his family, relatives & followers. Om Shanti. pic.twitter.com/zWqY4ar1nw
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) January 12, 2023