Uttar Pradesh was unaware of the future events that would register in Indian history. It was unaware of the changes that would re-shape its political discourse. On 22 November, 1939 a boy was born in Saifai village of Etawah district of Uttar Pradesh. He was none other than Mulayam Singh Yadav. He was born to be leader of India’s most populous state. That’s not all. He served as CM of state for three non-consecutive terms.
He was guided by Ram Manohar Lohia and Raj Narain. As a result, he was influenced by socialist thoughts. There was Congress dominance in the state from 1951-67. It was only in 1967 that a non-Congress government was formed in the state by Chaudhary Charan Singh. Uttar Pradesh also saw President’s rule.
After years of ups and downs the state got a new Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav in 1989. He was ruling Uttar Pradesh while VP Singh headed central government. Both were from Janata Dal. This party was broken into fractions. Mulayam Singh founded Samajwadi Party on 10 April, 1992.
He served as Chief Minister of UP for three terms, i.e. from 1989 to 1991, 1993 to 1995, and 2003 to 2007. Mulayam’s contribution to secularism in a state witnessing “communal politics” is written in history. It was during 1990 that Hindu right-wing fundamentalists were pressing for construction of Ram Mandir in place of Babri Masjid. It is said that he directed UP police to open fire on Kar Sevaks on October 30, 1990.
Many fundamentalists Kar Sevaks died but secularism of India lived. He claimed this to be an act to preserve India’s unity and integrity. It happened when BJP leaders were trying to polarize people in the name of religion. Babri Masjid was later demolished in 1992.
Mulayam Singh’s political power can be estimated from his win in 1993. Actually, BJP was politicizing Ram Mandir in the state prior to 1993 assembly elections. Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party formed a coalition. Despite communal politics of BJP in the state, Kanshiram-Mulayam duo won elections and came into power in 1993.
However, BSP-SP alliance broke in 1995. Samajwadi Party won the elections of the state in 2012. After staying in power for 3 terms, Mulayam Singh Yadav surprisingly made Akhilesh Yadav next CM of the state. Akhilesh Yadav completed his 5 years term in 2017.
Mulayam Singh was not the pioneer, but he is one of the strong leaders who tried to establish socialist rule in Uttar Pradesh. Samjawad ideology baton is now being carried by his son Akhilesh Yadav.
