Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday offered his condolences on the death of Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav, hailing him as the leader who raised his voice for restoration of democracy during the emergency, and said he will always be remembered as a grassroots leader.

Mulayam Singh died on Monday at a hospital in Gurugram after a prolonged illness. He was 82.

"Mulayam Singh Yadav remained active in politics for decades with his unique political skills. During the Emergency, he raised his voice for the restoration of democracy. He will always be remembered as a grassroots leader. His death marks the end of an era in Indian politics," Shah tweeted in Hindi.

Condoling with his family and supporters in their "hour of grief", Shah said: "May God give place to the departed soul at his feet. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti."

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar expressed his sorrow at the death of Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav, calling him as an illustrious political leader.

"Deeply pained by the passing away of Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav Ji. He was an illustrious political leader who dedicated his life to the service of the people," the Vice President Secretariat tweeted, quoting Dhankhar.

Former vice president M Venkaiah Naidu also expressed his grief at the former defence minister's demise.

"I had a long association with Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav over many years. He was a stalwart in national politics & an earthy leader of the masses," Naidu tweeted.

Describing deceased former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav as a leader of the whole country, Samajwadi Party vice-president Kiranmoy Nanda on Monday said that he had all the qualities to be a prime minister.

"Mulayam Singh had the capability to run the country efficiently as a prime minister," he told PTI.

Nanda, who was a minister in the erstwhile Left Front government in West Bengal, said that he was with Yadav when the Samajwadi Party was formed in 1992.

Nanda who is now in Kolkata said that Yadav was very astute and one of the top-most politicians in present-day India.

Yadav had a very close association with Kolkata, he said adding that the Samajwadi Party held its national committee meeting on five occasions in the city since its formation.

"He had a personal relationship with Jyoti Basu. The former chief minister of West Bengal liked him very much," Nanda said.

Senior BJP leader and Union Minister Rajanth Singh on Monday expressed grief over the demise of Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav, describing him as a grassroot leader.

Yadav died on Monday at a hospital in Gurugram after prolonged illness.

In a series of tweets, Singh said Yadav played a prominent role in politics of Uttar Pradesh.

"Mulayam ji had good relations with his opponents. Whenever met him, he discussed various issues with open heart," Singh said.

"He contributed for the development of country and society, his death is painful," Singh said.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday expressed grief over the death of Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav.

In his condolence message, Kumar recounted the long political journey of Yadav who was the Defence Minister in the United Front government of 1990s, besides having served as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh thrice.

"He was a towering socialist leader who never compromised with the interests of the poor and the farmers", said Kumar, who had met the ailing SP founder at the hospital where the latter was admitted during a visit to Delhi last month.

Yadav died on Monday at a hospital in Gurugram after a prolonged illness.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann on Monday expressed grief over the death of Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav and said his demise is an irreparable loss to the political field.

In a tweet, Khattar said Yadav's death is an irreparable loss to the political field.

Mann said he received the sad news of Yadav's death.

Both the chief ministers prayed for strength to the bereaved family and Yadav's admirers to bear the loss.

Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal also condoled Yadav's death, saying the country has lost a doyen.

"The nation has lost a doyen in the passing away of Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav ji. A socialist icon, he will be known for empowering the under-privileged. My heartfelt condolences to @yadavakhilesh & the entire Samajwadi family," Badal tweeted.

Former chief minister of Haryana and senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda also expressed grief over the death of Yadav.

Born on November 22, 1939 into a farming family in Saifai near Etawah in Uttar Pradesh, Yadav spawned the state's most prominent political clan.

He was elected an MLA 10 times and an MP, mostly from Mainpuri and Azamgarh, seven times.

Left parties on Monday mourned the death of Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav and said he will be remembered as a "fighter" who defended "secular" India.

The 82-year-old Yadav passed away in Medanta hospital in Gurugram.

CPIM general secretary Sitaram Yechury in a tweet said, "The champion of the interests of the marginalised and backward, Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav ji steadfastly fought against religious bigotry at a crucial time for India, upholding the unity and integrity of India. Deepest condolences."

CPI leader Binoy Viswam also expressed grieve over Yadav's demise.

"Mulayam Singh Yadav ji will be remembered as an uncompromising fighter who stood like a rock in defence of secular India," he said.

He further said, "As an ardent follower of Ram Manohar Lohia,his commitment to the rights of the oppressed was absolute.The Communists will cherish his role."

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday expressed grief over the death of Samajwadi Party supremo and three-time chief minister of Uttar Pradesh Mulayam Singh Yadav and lauded his role in the development of UP.

Shinde in his condolence message on Twitter said, "My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family of late Mulayam Singh Yadav. He played a vital role in the development of Uttar Pradesh."

Yadv served as the defence minister from 1996 to 1998, and chief minister thrice from 1989-91, 1993-95, and 2003-07.The SP supremo was elected an MLA 10 times and an MP, mostly from Mainpuri and Azamgarh, seven times.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant also condoled the death of Samajwadi Party founder and former defence minister Mulayam Singh Yadav.

"Saddened by the passing away of Former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh & Former Defence Minister of India Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav. My deepest condolences to the family. May God bestow Sadgati to the departed soul. Om Shanti," Sawant tweeted.

Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane also expressed grief over Yadav's demise.

"Saddened by the news of the demise of the founder of Samajwadi Party and former UP Chief Minister #MulayamSinghYadav ji.May God give peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family members. Om Shanti!" Rane tweeted.

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy among a bevy of political leaders from the state on Monday condoled the death of Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Chief Minister Chandrasekhar Rao said Yadav worked for the welfare of the poor and weaker sections throughout his life.Yadav, who joined politics inspired by great leaders like socialist ideologue Ram Manohar Lohia, served as the Chief Minister of the country's biggest state of Uttar Pradesh thrice and also as Union Minister, Rao said.

The Chief Minister conveyed his condolences to Yadav's son former UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and other family members.Union Minister Kishan Reddy said he was saddened by the demise of Yadav. "My deepest condolences to the bereaved family members & followers. In this hour of grief, my thoughts and prayers are with them. Om Shanti," Kishan Reddy tweeted.

Ruling TRS Working President and state minister K T Rama Rao said the veteran politician's death is truly the end of an era in Indian politics.State BJP president and MP Bandi Sanjay Kumar, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee president A Revanth Reddy, TDP's state unit president Bakkani Narasimhulu and several other leaders also condoled the death of Yadav.