PM Modi, remembering Mulayam Singh Yadav's comment, said: "What a large heart."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, campaigning in Gujarat today, took some moments to share memories of veteran Uttar Pradesh politician Mulayam Singh Yadav, who died this morning at 82.
Describing his death as a “huge loss” for the country, PM Modi said he shared a very special bond with Mulayam Singh, who was mostly on the opposite side of the spectrum in his long political career.
The PM and Mulayam Singh were, for a few years, Chief Ministers at the same time.
“When we were both Chief Ministers, we felt a lot of affinity for each other,” PM Modi said, addressing a large rally in Bharuch ahead of polls in Gujarat later this year.
He said when he was nominated by the BJP as presumptive Prime Minister in 2013, he called and spoke with several opposition leaders “to seek their blessings” and the Samajwadi Party founder was among them.
“I remember Mulayam Singh's blessings and words of advice, which remain special to me,” said the PM.
He also recalled the former Union Minister's words in parliament in 2019 wishing that PM Modi returned to power.
Mulayam Singh had stunned the opposition ranks when he said in the last session of the previous Lok Sabha before the general election: "I want to congratulate the PM for he tried to move ahead taking everyone along. I hope all members win and return, and you (PM Modi) become Prime Minister again."
PM Modi, remembering the comment, said: “What a large heart.”
“From Gujarat's soil, I dedicate my heartfelt tribute to him,” he said.
On Twitter, PM Modi was among the first to post his condolences when Akhilesh Yadav shared the news.
"Mulayam Singh Yadav ji distinguished himself in UP and national politics. He was a key soldier for democracy during the Emergency. As Defence Minister, he worked for a stronger India. His Parliamentary interventions were insightful and emphasised on furthering national interest," he tweeted, describing him as a remarkable personality.
The three-time UP Chief Minister died after days in the ICU. He had been critical and on life-saving drugs at Gurugram's Medanta Hospital.