Lucknow, August 6: Umashankar Singh, the only representative of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, passed away on Wednesday evening after a prolonged illness. His death has sent shockwaves through the political landscape of Eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Leaders from various parties, including Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, BSP chief Mayawati, and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, expressed deep sorrow over his passing. Singh had been battling cancer for an extended period and was undergoing treatment. Upon hearing the news, a somber atmosphere enveloped the Rasra Assembly constituency and Ballia district, as supporters and well-wishers mourned his loss.
With his passing, the BSP no longer has any representation in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly. A resident of Khanwar village in the Nagar block of Ballia district, Umashankar Singh first entered the Assembly in 2012 after winning the Rasra seat on a BSP ticket.
He maintained a strong political presence by winning the Assembly elections in 2017 and 2022 consecutively. In the 2022 elections, when the BSP secured only one seat across the state, Singh stood out as the sole MLA and was later appointed the leader of the BSP legislative party. His political career faced a setback when his membership was terminated due to a case related to benefits of office, but it was reinstated later.
Apart from his political endeavors, Umashankar Singh was also known for his social initiatives. He gained recognition for organizing mass weddings for hundreds of underprivileged girls, initially hosting 251 and later 351 couples, which garnered significant attention across the state. His contributions to education, social welfare, and public service further solidified his reputation.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed his condolences on X, stating that the death of Umashankar Singh, the MLA from Rasra, is extremely sad. He prayed for the peace of the departed soul and strength for the family to bear this loss.
Umashankar Singh was regarded as one of the most influential leaders of the BSP in Eastern Uttar Pradesh. His consecutive victories in three Assembly elections are seen as a testament to his strong grassroots support. His demise not only deals a significant political blow to the BSP but also marks the loss of an active and popular leader in Eastern UP politics.
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