Mulayam Singh Yadav, the Samajwadi Party founder and three-time Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, died this morning. He was 82. He was considered a key component in opposition politics. Ill health forced him out of the limelight on the national stage for the last few years. Popularly referred to as "Netaji" by Samajwadi Party supporters and leaders, Mr Yadav served as the country's Defence Minister.