Sharad Yadav began his political career as a student leader, aligning himself with the anti-Congress side before being active in the JP agitation. His foray into national politics was equally spectacular. In 1974, the JP agitation against the Indira Gandhi administration began to develop, sweeping the Hindi heartland. After the Indian National Congress MP from the district of Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh passed away, Jayaprakash Narayan opted to field a bright university student as the unified Opposing candidate to face the then-mighty Congress in bye-elections.
The 27-year-old made history by defeating Congress and humiliating Indira. He never glances after that. Over the following five decades, he developed as a champion of socialism and backward politics, maintaining relationships with leaders from all political parties. Sharad Yadav functioned as a minister in the governments of Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the late 1990s and VP Singh government in 1989.
He was chosen to the Lok Sabha 7 times and served three terms in the Rajya Sabha. After Chief Minister Nitish Kumar ended the Coalition Government and rejoined the BJP, he quit the ruling Janata Dal-United. Yadav had informed The Indian Express that then-Prime Minister V P Singh was close to naming Ram Sundar Das as Chief Minister. Yadav said he persuaded then-Deputy Prime Minister Choudhary Devi Lal to conduct a poll among Janata Dal CM aspirants.
Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar used to travel to Patna airport to greet Sharad Yadav. There was also a period when Lalu Prasad gained and lost elections against Madhepura’s Yadav. Nitish Kumar, who appointed Yadav as national chairman of the JD (U) to counter George Fernandes, was also accountable for losing Rajya Sabha membership after his political career.
He was an important figure in the opposing party for most of his life. However, he reunited with Congress and his main political adversary, Lalu Yadav, and was influential in forming the Grand Alliance following the 2015 Bihar assembly polls. In 2018, he founded his independent organization, the Loktantrik Janata Dal. Still, he amalgamated it with Lalu Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal about two years later, stating it was the “first step towards a unified opposition”.
Recent Development
Sharad Yadav, an erstwhile central Minister and among the country’s most renowned socialist politicians, died on January 12. He had been ailing for some time before falling on January 13 at his home in New Delhi. According to a report from Gurugram’s Fortis Hospital, where he was immediately transferred, Yadav was rushed to the emergency department dazed and unresponsive.
Political leaders express condolences on their social media platforms
According to the NDTV, “Pained by the passing away of Shri Sharad Yadav Ji. In his long years in public life, he distinguished himself as MP 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,” tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“I am saddened by the news of the untimely demise of Mandal Messiah, a senior leader of RJD, great socialist leader, and my guardian respected Sharad Yadav ji. I am unable to say anything. Had a conversation with mother and brother Shantanu. In this hour of grief, the entire Samajwadi family is with the family members,” tweeted Tejashwi Yadav.
