FORMER UNION MINISTER AND JDU LEADER SHARAD YADAV PASSES AWAY AT AGE 75

Sharad Yadav, a former Union minister and head of the Janata Dal (United), or JDU, passed away Thursday at the Fortis Memorial Research Institute in Gurugram. He was 75. Subhashini Sharad Yadav, Yadav's daughter, also announced on social media, writing, "Papa nahi rahe (Papa is no more)".

His wife, son, and daughters all survive him.

Yadav was rushed to the emergency room dazed and unresponsive, according to a statement from the Fortis Memorial Research Institute.

"Shri Sharad Yadav was rushed to the emergency department of Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, in a state of unconsciousness and incoherence. He had no pulse and no detectable blood pressure upon assessment. He received CPR according to ACLS guidelines. Despite all attempts, he was pronounced dead at 10:19 PM after being unable to be revived. We want to send his family our sincere sympathies, Fortis said.

The death of Yadav, according to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leaves him "pained."

"Sorry to hear about Shri Sharad Yadav Ji's death. He made a name for himself as an MP and Minister over his extensive time in public life. His admiration for Dr Lohia's principles was profound. I will always value our exchanges. Greetings to his loved ones and admirers. Om Shanti" tweeted PM Modi.

Tejashwi Yadav, the deputy chief minister of Bihar, also expressed astonishment at the passing.

"I'm grieved to hear of Mandal Messiah's premature passing. He was a top RJD leader, a brilliant socialist, and a revered figure in my guardian Sharad Yadav's eyes. I'm at a loss for words. Spoke to my mother and my brother Shantanu. The whole Samajwadi family is with the family members during this time of bereavement, Yadav tweeted.

President of the Congress Mallikarjun Kharge expressed sympathy for the socialist leader's passing and claimed that he promoted the politics of quality.

The Congress added that the loss Yadav's death has caused to Indian politics could not be repaired.

In March 2020, Yadav, who had previously founded his party, Loktantrik Janata Dal, joined forces with Lalu Yadav's RJD, calling the move "the first step towards a united opposition." Angered by the Janata Dal (United decision)'s to join an alliance with the BJP again in Bihar, Yadav founded the Loktantrik Janata Dal in 2018.

He served as a union minister in several governments.