Sharad Yadav founded 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 tonight. The 75-year-old had been ailing for a long time and collapsed at his home in Delhi on Thursday. A statement from the Fortis Memorial Research Institute of Gurugram – where he was immediately taken – says Mr Yadav was taken to the emergency room in an unconscious and unresponsive condition.
“On examination he had no pulse or measurable blood pressure. He underwent CPR per ACLS protocols. Despite best efforts, he could not be resuscitated and was pronounced dead at 10:19 p.m.,” the statement said.
Sharad Yadav started politics as a student leader, joined the anti-congress camp and later became involved in the JP movement. For most of his life he remained a key figure in the opposition. However, he reconciled with both Congress and major political rival Lalu Yadav, and was instrumental in creating the Grand Alliance after the 2015 Bihar general election.
Sharad Yadav served as a minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government in the late 1990s and in the VP Singh government in 1989.
A three-time member of the Rajya Sabha, he was elected to the Lok Sabha seven times. A founding member of the ruling Janata Dal United in Bihar, he resigned after Prime Minister Nitish Kumar ended the Grand Alliance and joined the BJP.
In 2018 he founded his own party, the Loktantrik Janata Dal, but two years later merged it with Lalu Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal, saying it was the “first step towards a united opposition”.
“Sorrowful at the passing of Shri Sharad Yadav Ji. During his long years in public life, he distinguished himself as an MP and Minister. He was greatly inspired by Dr. Lohia’s ideals. I will always cherish our interactions. My condolences to his family and Admirers. Om Shanti,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted.
Struck by the passing of Shri Sharad Yadav Ji. During his long years in public life he distinguished himself as a member of parliament and as a minister. He was strong of Dr. Inspired by Lohia’s ideals. I will always appreciate our interactions. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 12, 2023
“I am saddened by the news of the untimely death of Mandal Messiah, senior leader of RJD, great socialist leader and my respected guardian Sharad Yadav ji. I am unable to say anything. Had a talk with mother and brother Shantanu. At this hour of grief, the entire Samajwadi family is with family members,” Tejashwi Yadav tweeted.
“Sharad Yadav was my political guardian. He played a big part in making me Deputy Prime Minister. Bihar will never forget his contribution,” tweeted former Bihar Deputy Prime Minister Sushil Modi.
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge also tweeted his condolences. “I am saddened by the death of Sharad Yadav, former president of the JDU and a senior leader of the country’s socialist current. He served the country for decades as a former union minister and pre-eminent parliamentarian, strengthening equality policies,” read a rough translation of his Hindi tweet.
From his hospital bed in Singapore, Lalu Yadav said in a video message that while he had many differences with Sharad Yadav, it “never led to bitterness.”
“He learned the politics of socialism from Ram Manohar Lohia and Karpoori Thakur alongside the late Mulayam Singh Yadav, Nitish Kumar and myself,” said Mr Yadav, who recently underwent a kidney transplant.
“On many occasions Sharad Yadav and I have fought each other. But our disagreements never led to bitterness,” the RJD chief said.