Top socialist leader Sharad Yadav has left a deep void in Indian politics which can’t be filled by any other leader, said Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) lawmaker Manoj Jha while paying his last respects to the former Union minister.
Speaking to media persons outside Yadav’s residence in Delhi’s Chhatarpur, Jha hailed him as a courageous leader.
“With the demise of Sharad Yadav Ji, an era has ended in public and political space. Some voids are impossible to be filled. His demise has left such a void in Indian politics,” he said.
The Rajya Sabha member further said, “Despite his illness, he showed extreme courage whenever I met him. I never witnessed such courage in a person.”
Credited for the implementation of the Mandal Commission report that gave the reservation to other backward communities (OBCs), Yadav passed away at Fortis Hospital in Gurugram at the age of 75 years on Thursday evening. He was suffering from a prolonged illness.
ALSO READ: After US trip, Goyal goes straight from airport to Sharad Yadav’s home
He was taken to the emergency ward of the hospital in an “unconscious and unresponsive state” without any pulse or recordable blood pressure.
In a statement, his family said that Sharad Yadav’s last rites will be performed in his native village Aankh Mau in Hoshangabad of Madhya Pradesh on Saturday.
Leaders from across the political spectrum paid floral tributes to the soul at his residence. BJP president JP Nadda, Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan, former Bihar CM and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Rabri Devi, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Kumari Shelja, and Anil Chaudhary were among the leaders who paid tributes in person.
Speaking to reporters, Union commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said, “With the demise of Sharad Yadav Ji, a long political life spanning five decades has come to an end today.”
“He fought against the Emergency in 1972 and was a champion of the struggle for the rights of the poor, backwards, Dalit and the oppressed. He spent several years in the NDA (National Democratic Alliance). I met him frequently during those days. He contributed immensely to parliamentary debate and meetings,” minister Goyal said.