Prateek Yadav, the younger son of late Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav, died in Lucknow on Wednesday at the age of 38, leaving family members, political leaders and supporters in shock.
According to reports, Prateek’s health suddenly deteriorated on Wednesday morning, after which he was rushed to a hospital in Lucknow. Doctors, however, declared him dead on arrival. Initial reports said he had been battling health complications related to the liver and lungs for some time.
Prateek was the son of Mulayam Singh Yadav and Sadhana Gupta, and the half-brother of Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav. Unlike many members of the influential Yadav family, Prateek chose to stay away from active politics and maintained a relatively private life.
He was known more for his interest in fitness, business and animal welfare activities than political campaigns. Friends and close associates described him as soft-spoken and low-profile despite belonging to one of Uttar Pradesh’s most powerful political families.
Prateek was married to BJP leader Aparna Yadav, who currently serves as vice-chairperson of the Uttar Pradesh State Women Commission. The couple has two daughters.
News of his death drew condolences from leaders across party lines. Akhilesh Yadav expressed grief over the loss of his younger brother, while Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and several senior BJP and Samajwadi Party leaders also paid tribute.
Political programmes scheduled by both the Samajwadi Party and BJP in Uttar Pradesh were reportedly cancelled or postponed following the news.
Though he stayed away from electoral politics, Prateek remained a familiar face in political circles because of his family background and public appearances alongside family members on important occasions.
His sudden death has deeply saddened supporters of the Yadav family, many of whom gathered outside the family residence in Lucknow to pay their respects.
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