Prateek Yadav cremated in Lucknow; Akhilesh, family bid tearful farewell
Synopsis
In a moment that briefly united rival political camps, Prateek Yadav — son of SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav and husband of BJP leader Aparna Yadav — was cremated in Lucknow on 14 May. His father-in-law Arvind Bisht lit the pyre as Akhilesh Yadav, Shivpal Yadav, and leaders from both the SP and BJP stood together in grief.
Key Takeaways
Prateek Yadav , younger son of Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav , was cremated at Baikunth Dham, Lucknow on 14 May .
His father-in-law, veteran journalist Arvind Bisht , lit the funeral pyre.
Akhilesh Yadav , Dharmendra Yadav , and Aditya Yadav placed logs on the pyre during the ceremony.
Wife Aparna Yadav and daughters Prathama and Padmaja were present throughout.
Leaders from both the BJP and SP , including Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak , attended — reflecting cross-party regard.
Thousands joined the funeral procession, chanting 'Prateek Yadav Amar Rahein' through the streets of Lucknow .
The last rites of Prateek Yadav, the younger son of Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav and husband of Bharatiya Janata Party leader Aparna Yadav, were performed at Baikunth Dham cremation ground in Bhaisakund, Lucknow on Thursday, 14 May. His father-in-law, veteran journalist Arvind Bisht, lit the funeral pyre in keeping with tradition, as hundreds of family members, political leaders, and supporters gathered to pay their final respects.
An Emotional Send-Off
After performing the last rites, Arvind Bisht became visibly emotional — wiping tears with a traditional gamcha before folding his hands in a final salute to his son-in-law. The atmosphere at the cremation ground was deeply solemn. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav arrived at Baikunth Dham and bade an emotional farewell to his younger brother, placing logs on the pyre alongside cousins Dharmendra Yadav and Aditya Yadav.
Prateek Yadav's wife, Aparna Yadav, and their two daughters, Prathama and Padmaja, were present throughout the ceremony. Akhilesh Yadav and his uncle Shivpal Yadav were seen seated together at the cremation ground, while Prateek Yadav's daughters sat nearby. Akhilesh Yadav's son, Arjun Yadav, was also present with the family.
Leaders Across Party Lines Pay Tribute
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak attended the funeral ceremony, reflecting the cross-party regard for the Yadav family. Earlier, on Wednesday night, Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, along with Akhilesh Yadav's wife Dimple Yadav and Shivpal Yadav, had visited the residence to pay their tributes as Aparna Yadav sat beside her husband's mortal remains with their daughters.
The presence of leaders from both the Samajwadi Party and the BJP underscored a rare moment of shared grief cutting across political divides — notable given that Aparna Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav belong to rival parties.
Funeral Procession Draws Thousands
The funeral procession began from Prateek Yadav's residence and drew thousands of supporters onto the streets of Lucknow. Slogans of 'Prateek Yadav Amar Rahein' (May Prateek Yadav Live Forever) echoed through the air as the procession moved through the city. Before the procession commenced, his mortal remains were kept outside the Samajwadi Party office for a brief period in a mark of respect.
Following tradition, the body was placed on the ground five times before reaching the cremation ground. Shivpal Singh Yadav's son, Aditya Yadav, helped shoulder the bier, while Dharmendra Yadav remained with the family throughout.
A Personal Side Remembered
Beyond politics, Prateek Yadav was widely known for his deep affection for animals. Aparna Yadav had a photograph featuring his pet dogs and monkey placed on the hearse — a personal touch that moved many among those present and offered a glimpse of the man behind the political surname.
With the last rites complete, the Yadav family now enters a period of mourning that transcends the factional boundaries that have long defined Uttar Pradesh's most prominent political dynasty.
Point of View
BJP's Aparna Yadav and SP's Akhilesh united in grief — is a reminder that the Yadav family's internal fault lines, so fiercely contested in electoral politics, dissolve at moments of personal tragedy. Yet that image also highlights how deeply the family's private and political lives remain intertwined in Uttar Pradesh's power landscape. Prateek Yadav largely stayed away from frontline politics, but his death has drawn the entire ecosystem — across party lines — to one cremation ground. That, in itself, speaks to the enduring gravitational pull of the Mulayam legacy.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Prateek Yadav?
Prateek Yadav was the younger son of Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav and the husband of BJP leader Aparna Yadav. He was known for staying largely out of frontline politics and for his love of animals.
Where and when were Prateek Yadav's last rites performed?
His last rites were performed at Baikunth Dham cremation ground in Bhaisakund, Lucknow, on Thursday, 14 May. His father-in-law, veteran journalist Arvind Bisht, lit the funeral pyre.
Who attended Prateek Yadav's funeral?
SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, Shivpal Yadav, Dharmendra Yadav, and Aditya Yadav attended from the family. BJP leaders including Deputy Chief Ministers Brajesh Pathak and Keshav Prasad Maurya also paid their respects, reflecting cross-party solidarity.
Was Aparna Yadav present at the funeral?
Yes, Aparna Yadav — Prateek Yadav's wife and a BJP leader — was present at the cremation along with their two daughters, Prathama and Padmaja. She had also sat beside his mortal remains on Wednesday night.
What was the public response to Prateek Yadav's funeral procession?
Thousands of supporters lined the streets of Lucknow as the funeral procession moved from his residence to Baikunth Dham. Slogans of 'Prateek Yadav Amar Rahein' (May Prateek Yadav Live Forever) were raised throughout the procession.
