NEW DELHI: Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed his condolences for Mulayam Singh Yadav's passing and referred to him as an icon of the socialist movement. He expressed his sorrow in a letter to Akhilesh Yadav.

"Regardless of party affiliation, he was a highly regarded leader who was admired by all. He was a Socialist Movement icon who had won multiple elections to the Lok Sabha and the Uttar Pradesh State Assembly. He held the positions of Union Minister and Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh several times. He was an outstanding legislator and administrator who committed his entire life to help the underprivileged and other underdeveloped regions." "My wife and I join together to offer our sincere sympathies to you and the other members of your family during this difficult time. God grant you all the courage and fortitude to endure this terrible loss, "he added.

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh expressed, "Despite being a devoted Lohiaite, Mulayam Singh Yadav had supporters from all sides of the political aisle. His terms as CM of UP had a significant impact. He had two significant national roles: when he proposed APJ Abdul Kalam for president in 2002 and served as the defence minister under the Deve Gowda and Gujral governments." 

Mulayam Singh Yadav passed away on Monday morning shocked the nation.

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