Former Union Minister Sharad Yadav dies at 75

Sharad Yadav started his own party in 2018, but merged it with RJD two years later.

Former Union minister and one of the country’s most prominent socialist leaders, Sharad Yadav, died this evening. The 75-year-old is in long-term pain and collapsed at his Delhi home on Thursday. A statement from the Fortis Memorial Research Institute in Gurugram – where it was taken immediately – said Mr Yadav was brought to the emergency room in an unconscious and unresponsive state.

“At stated examination, he had no pulse or recordable blood pressure. He underwent CPR per ACLS protocols. Despite best efforts, he could not be resuscitated and died. at 10:19 p.m.,” the statement read.

Beginning politics as a student leader, Sharad Yadav aligned himself with the anti-Congress camp and later became involved in the JP movement. For most of his life he remained a key presence in opposition. However, he reconciled with Congress and arch political rival Lalu Yadav and was instrumental in shaping the Grand Alliance after the 2015 assembly elections in Bihar.

Sharad Yadav served as a minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government in the late 1990s and in the VP Singh government in 1989.

Three times a member of the Rajya Sabha, he was elected seven times to the Lok Sabha. A founding member of Bihar’s ruling Janata Dal United, he resigned after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar ended the Grand Alliance and joined the BJP.

In 2018 he launched his own party, the Loktantrik Janata Dal, but merged it with Lalu Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal two years later, saying it was the “first step towards a united opposition”.

“Pained by the death by Shri Sharad Yadav Ji. During his long years of public life, he distinguished himself as a deputy 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,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted.

Saddened by the passing of Shri Sharad Yadav Ji. During his long years of public life, he distinguished himself as a deputy and minister. He was greatly inspired by Dr. Lohia’s ideals. I will always cherish our interactions. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanthi.

– Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 12, 2023

“I am saddened by the news of the untimely passing away of Mandal Messiah, senior leader of RJD, great socialist leader and my respected guardian Sharad Yadav ji. I am unable to say anything. I had a conversation with my mother and my brother Shantanu. In this hour of grief, the entire Samajwadi family is with family members,” Tejashwi Yadav tweeted.

“Sharad Yadav was my political tutor. He played a big role in making me Deputy Chief Minister. Bihar will never forget his contribution,” former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi tweeted. .

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge also tweeted his condolences. “I am saddened by the death of Sharad Yadav, former JDU President and top leader of the country’s socialist current. Serving the country as a former Union minister and outstanding parliamentarian for decades, he strengthened the political of equality,” read a rough translation of his Hindi tweet.

From his hospital bed in Singapore, Lalu Yadav said in a video message that although he had many differences with Sharad Yadav, it “never resulted in bitterness”.

“He, in addition to the late Mulayam Singh Yadav, Nitish Kumar and myself, learned the politics of socialism from Ram Manohar Lohia and Karpoori Thakur,” said Yadav, who recently underwent a kidney transplant.

“Time and time again, Sharad Yadav and I argued. But our disagreements never led to bitterness,” the RJD leader said.