On Friday, October 10, 2025, the Samajwadi Party (SP) held a poignant memorial event in Saifai, the ancestral village of its esteemed founder, Mulayam Singh Yadav. Marking the second anniversary of his passing, the gathering saw SP president Akhilesh Yadav, alongside prominent leaders like Shivpal Yadav, Rajya Sabha MPs Ram Gopal Yadav and Ramji Lal Suman, and many other senior party members, offering floral tributes to the late socialist icon.
During the solemn occasion, Akhilesh Yadav announced plans for a significant memorial to be erected at the site. “This will not just be a structure; it will be a beacon, a memorial dedicated to Netaji [Mulayam Singh Yadav] and to all those who champion socialist values,” he stated. “It will serve as a constant source of inspiration, ensuring his ideas and his spirit continue to live on and guide future generations.”
Rajya Sabha MP Ramji Lal Suman reflected on Mulayam Singh Yadav’s pivotal role in India’s socialist movement. He emphasized that while positions like Defence Minister or Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh were notable, Yadav’s true achievement lay in revitalizing socialist ideals. Suman recalled how, after various socialist factions merged into the Janata Party in 1977, seemingly ending the movement, Mulayam Singh Yadav took the courageous step in 1992 to unite socialists nationwide and establish the Samajwadi Party.
Suman passionately asserted that the essence of socialist ideology remains timeless, especially in a world grappling with “helplessness, unemployment, and inequality.” He concluded that regardless of how extensively history documents his journey, Mulayam Singh Yadav’s indelible mark on India’s socialist narrative is secured forever. His vision of a just society resonated deeply, earning him immense respect across the political spectrum, as detailed in an earlier tribute to his staunch secularist and consummate political character.
Echoing these sentiments, senior leader and Mulayam Singh Yadav’s brother, Rajya Sabha MP Ram Gopal Yadav, spoke of his brother’s expansive support base, which transcended party lines. He recounted instances when, as Chief Minister, Mulayam Singh Yadav would instruct his secretaries to extend assistance to anyone in need, irrespective of their political affiliation – be it from the BJP, Congress, or BSP – ensuring genuine concerns were addressed without delay.
Ram Gopal Yadav highlighted Netaji’s unwavering dedication to the poor and marginalized. “He tirelessly championed the rights of the deprived, granting them dignity and a voice,” he said. “Many who had never imagined reaching corridors of power, whether in Delhi as Members of Parliament or in Lucknow as MLAs, found their path thanks to his mentorship. He truly empowered the voiceless, enabling them to walk with their heads held high.” His profound contributions to public life were further acknowledged posthumously with national honors.
Mulayam Singh Yadav, a veteran socialist leader deeply inspired by Ram Manohar Lohia, was renowned for his profound grassroots connections and his powerful ability to mobilize Backward Classes. His political journey spanned five decades, during which he served numerous terms as both an MLA and MP. He passed away on October 10, 2022, at the age of 82, with his final rites performed in his cherished native village of Saifai.