LUCKNOW:  The birth anniversary of the Late Samajwadi Party supremo and the Ex-Defence Minister of India, Mulayam Singh Yadav falls today, 22 

'Havans' and prayer meetings were held throughout Uttar Pradesh today, by Samajwadi Party leaders and members to commemorate the late Mulayam Singh Yadav's birth anniversary.

The three-term chief minister of Uttar Pradesh had an enduring impression on politics. His reputation as a populist politician and OBC leader continues to be unrivalled. 

In a tweet titled "Dharti Putra Diwas Netaji amar rahen," SP President Akhilesh Yadav paid tribute to Samajwadi Party founder and his father Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Both Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted condolences for the late politician.

Yadav, who was influenced by Ram Manohar Lohia's socialist ideas in the 1960s and 1970s, never stopped advocating for the disadvantaged groups in society. His admirers referred to him as "Netaji" with affection. 

In 1996, Mulayam Singh Yadav served as the nation's defence minister.

During the United Front coalition administration, he came very close to being prime minister but lost to D. Deve Gowda as the preferred candidate.

The SP patriarch's position on Tibet also sparked debate because he thought India should aid the area in gaining independence.

In 1992, he established the Samajwadi Party. The party continues to be influential in Uttar Pradesh.

When the SP won a majority in Uttar Pradesh in 2012, Mulayam Singh Yadav chose not to run for chief minister for a fourth term but instead let his son Akhilesh to lead the government.

On October 10 of this year, Mulayam Singh Yadav passed away after a protracted illness. Politicians from all parties expressed sorrow over his passing.