Mulayam Singh Yadav Birthday: From Wrestler in Political Arena to Legislator at 28

Lucknow: Founder of the Samajwadi Party and former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Mulayam Singh Yadav, was not just a prominent figure in state politics but also a skilled player in national politics. Born on this day in 1939, Mulayam Singh Yadav embarked on a journey from the grassroots to the pinnacle of power.*

*Mulayam Singh's success in the political arena is evident as he became a Member of Parliament seven times and was elected as a legislator eight times. He held the position of Defense Minister once and served as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh in 1989, 1993, and 2003.*

*Achieving his first victory as a legislator at the age of 28 in 1967, Mulayam Singh entered the electoral fray with limited resources. During that initial campaign, Nathu Singh, recognized as Mulayam's political mentor, persuaded him to enter the political arena on the request of Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia.*

*Nathu Singh, influenced by Mulayam's wrestling skills, played a pivotal role in Mulayam Singh's political journey. In the 1960s, Mulayam actively participated in Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia's Socialist Party, addressing issues affecting farmers and the underprivileged.*

*After completing his Bachelor's degree, Mulayam Singh took up a teaching course in Shikohabad. In 1965, he secured a teaching job in a college, and two years later, he entered the electoral scene during the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.*

*Mulayam Singh's political guru, Nathu Singh, was keen to field him in the Jaswantnagar constituency. After advocating for Mulayam Singh with Dr. Lohia, and with Lohia's approval, Mulayam contested from Jaswantnagar, while Nathu Singh chose to contest from Karhal.*

*During the campaign, Mulayam Singh, facing financial constraints, adopted the slogan of "one vote, one note" to connect with the rural population. He appealed for election donations, promising to return the amount with interest even if he won.*

*Facing economic hardships, Mulayam Singh's village decided in a meeting not to let him suffer and resolved to provide him with financial support. They decided that he would eat only one meal a day to manage the remaining funds.*

*In his debut election, Mulayam Singh defeated the veteran Congress candidate Lakhan Singh, who was close to the influential leader HN Bahuguna. Despite being a novice in politics, Mulayam Singh surprised everyone by defeating the well-established opponent.*

After this initial victory, Mulayam Singh never looked back. Climbing the ladder of success, he became the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh for the first time in 1989. Throughout his political career, he remained a formidable force in Uttar Pradesh, although the opportunity to become the Prime Minister of India eluded him. Mulayam Singh Yadav, with his unwavering commitment, left an indelible mark on Indian politics throughout his lifetime.